Two cops, three others arrested for extorting PNP applicant
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Two police officers and three others were arrested during law enforcement operations in Pampanga and Quezon City on 12 September 2026, with regards to alleged extortion schemes targeting an aspiring applicant to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the CIDG Regional Field Unit 3, together with the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit and Police Regional Office 3 conducted three interconnected law enforcement operations in the said areas.
In a report submitted to CIDG Director PMGen. Robert AA Morico II, the operations stemmed from information and report from aspiring PNP applicant regarding an alleged robbery/extortion perpetrated by the suspects in exchange of his entry to the PNP.
Following a weeklong intelligence-driven monitoring and investigation, the CIDG and joint units conducted the operations that led to the successful arrest of the five suspects.
At around 1:14 PM to 2:30 PM of September 12, 2026, the joint units conducted an entrapment operation in Brgy. San Nicolas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, which resulted in the arrest of three male suspects as they were caught while receiving the alleged “extorted” money. The suspects demanded P250,000.00 and was reduced to P150,000,00.
Authorities confiscated one genuine P1,000.00 bill incorporated in the P50,000.00 boodle money, cellular phones, government-issued IDs, and motorcycle.
In a follow-up operation at around 5:28 PM of the same day in Brgy. Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Quezon City, the operating units arrested a male Police Lieutenant who is in active status- he was caught while allegedly receiving the “extorted money” from the earlier operations.
He was allegedly the leader of the group who promised the facilitation of the PNP application and sure recruitment of the applicant. Recovered from him were marked money incorporated in the boodle cash, cellular phone, government-issued IDs, LandBank ATM card, and PNP Identification Card.
At around 11:36 PM in the evening, another male suspect- a Patrolman in active service was arrested during the follow-up operation inside Camp Olivas, San Fernando City, Pampanga. He was caught for allegedly engagement in robbery/extortion in relation to violation of cybercrime law. Recovered from him were marked money incorporated in the boodle money representing his share in the alleged recruitment scheme victimizing PNP applicant.
The CIDG emphasizes that application and recruitment in the Philippine National Police is free- it is purely based on merit, qualification, and integrity.
It urges aspiring applicants not to fall for scammers claiming they can pull strings for cash, emphasizing that public service entry requires zero payment.
