The entire personnel of a maritime police station was laid off today after its chief was arrested by the Philippine National Police Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) in Tanza, Cavite for allegedly extorting money from fishermen.
The arrested police officer was identified as Superintendent Armandy Dimabuyo, chief of the 402nd Cavite Maritime Police Station in Barangay (Village) Julugan 5, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
He was arrested in his office during an entrapment operation at 7am today, CITF commander Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat said, according to Sunstar. Dimabuyo reportedly accepted PHP18,000 (US$345.53) from a complainant.
The operation was done after receiving complaints from several motorized banca owners in the area. According to the PNP, Dimabuyo was demanding an amount between PHP19,000 (US$364.77) to PHP21,000 (US$403.17) per month from the fishermen association.
The complainants said they pay the money so they would be allowed to fish in the area, Manila Bulletin reported.
And it’s not just the chief that was punished.
PNP Maritime Group Director Chief Superintendent Rodelio Jocson sacked the entire personnel of the Cavite Maritime Section, Inquirer added. Staff from the Special Operations Unit of the Maritime Group will replace them.
The suspect is under the custody of the CITF in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Administrative and criminal charges are being prepared against him.
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