Philippine National Police (PNP) chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. on Monday exposed an alleged extortion scheme targeting PNP applicants that led to the arrest of five suspects, including two active police officers, in operations on 12 September.

Nartatez said during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony that the initial entrapment operation was conducted in front of a shooting range store in Barangay San Nicolas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, by joint units of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), intelligence units and the San Fernando City Police Station.

Three civilian suspects, aged 59, 55 and 62, were arrested after one allegedly received marked money from a 29-year-old PNP applicant in exchange for purported assistance in facilitating his entry into the police service.

The alleged demand initially amounted to P250,000 but was later reduced to P150,000. Recovered were P1,000 in genuine marked money and P50,000 in boodle money, along with cellular phones, government IDs, a sling bag and a Honda Mobilio.

The operation stemmed from a weeklong intelligence and surveillance effort that began after the complainant reported the alleged recruitment-extortion scheme on 7 September. Investigators later learned that one of the suspects had again contacted the applicant and demanded payment as supposed proof of assistance in securing his admission to the PNP.

The follow-up investigation allegedly uncovered the involvement of two active police officers.

A police lieutenant serving as team leader of the Basilan Provincial Cyber Response Team of the Anti-Cybercrime Group was arrested in Quezon City. A patrolman assigned to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Zambales Police Provincial Office was also arrested inside Camp Olivas after investigators learned he was allegedly set to receive part of the proceeds.

The patrolman’s arrest followed information allegedly provided by one of the civilian suspects, leading investigators to conduct a follow-up operation. They recovered P1,000 in genuine marked money, P9,000 in boodle money and a cellular phone.

“A police uniform is not a shield for wrongdoing,” Nartatez said. He vowed that officers who use their position or the PNP’s name to deceive and extort applicants “will be dealt with firmly and without favor.”

The five suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and brought to the CIDG RFU 3 Office for booking procedures. Appropriate complaints are being prepared for filing before the Office of the Prosecutor.

Nartatez said the operation supports the PNP’s efforts to protect the integrity of its recruitment process and hold accountable those who undermine public trust.