Guv recommends filing of extortion rap vs. Sara cop
Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. has recommended the filing of criminal and administrative cases against a senior policeman in Sara, Iloilo who allegedly conducts extortion activities in the area.
In a press briefing with the Capitol reporters yesterday, Tupas said he has directed Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) Director Sr. Supt. Ricardo Dela Paz to file charges against SPO1 Ricky Salcedo of Sara Philippine National Police (PNP).
Tupas said he has received numerous complaints regarding the alleged extortion activities of SPO1 Salcedo.
Salcedo, reportedly, is a son of Sara Mayor Neptali Salcedo.
Tupas presented affidavits of Edgardo Baylosis, operations manager of Vallacar Transit Inc., and Edwin Cando of Gasat roll-on-roll-off (ro-ro) bus line as proof of extortion allegations.
Based on the complainants' affidavits, Salcedo through his collector Arnold Decolongon is asking fees of P300 per passenger among the ro-ro buses that use the terminal in Sara town to wait for passengers.
Also, the complainants claim that Salcedo is asking for 50% of the passengers baggage fees collected by the bus lines.
Tupas said they have also secured the affidavit of Decolongon admitting that he works as collector for the policeman's extortion activities.
"He (Salcedo) has been doing this for quite some time, but it is only now that complainants come out in the open," Tupas said.
The governor added that he has already brought to the attention of Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas the illegal activities of Salcedo.
Meanwhile, Dela Paz vowed to immediately act on the complaints against the Sara policeman.