Mayor Laarni Cayetano on Wednesday urged the people of Taguig City to be vigilant and cooperate with the city government in its fight against illegal activities, especially if the crime involves police scalawags and erring local officials.
“As I have said, time and time again, illegal activities are not and will never be tolerated in Taguig. If we all work together, we could triumph against such criminalities and achieve peace and progress in our beloved city,” Cayetano said.
Last Saturday, members of the Philippine National Police – Counter Intelligence Task Force arrested a police officer and six village watchmen in Taguig who demanded money from a woman in exchange for the release of her partner suspected to be a drug dealer.
The suspects—policeman Cesar Espejo, 34; and Reggie Adrales, 29; Bobby Tejero, 43; Rolly Barcelo, 41; Antonio Bontia, 51; Antonio Bag-Ao, 44; and Marcelino Perdonio; and their companion Stephanie Villanueva, 24, all personnel of Barangay Security Development of West Bicutan in Taguig City—were charged with illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession of drugs, kidnapping and usurpation of authority before the Taguig City Prosecutors’ Office.
Authorities said the entrapment at the Barangay West Bicutan Hall was conducted following a complaint from a woman who told them her live-in partner and a companion were arrested by alleged police officers from Taguig on Friday night.
The complainant claimed she later received a text message and a call from a man who introduced himself as a police officer and initially demanded P10,000 for the release of her partner. She said the caller later reduced the amount to P6,000.
The PNP-CITF, in close coordination with members of the Southern Police District, immediately set up an entrapment operation against the suspects leading to their arrest. Recovered from the suspects were P6,000 in marked money, one caliber .38 revolver, a caliber .45 pistol, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and dozens of live ammunitions.
Cayetano said the city government does not condone any illegal activities in the city, whether by ordinary citizens or public officers.
“Taguig is an advocate of upright and honest services. If we receive reports of our own employees doing illegal activities, we will not hesitate to do the necessary action to stop them since it is our commitment to provide just and quality public service to all Taguigeños,” she said.
She also reminded her constituents they can call hotline һ165-7777 to report cases of extortion by law enforcement officers.