ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has ordered a validation and fact-finding investigation into an alleged audio recording linking a supposed Molo Police Station personnel to an extortion scheme in which the family of suspects arrested in a buy-bust operation was allegedly asked to pay P150,000 in exchange for their release.
The audio recording, which has been circulating on social media, allegedly captured a caller believed to be connected with the Molo Police Station instructing the family to keep the transaction confidential before asking how much they could afford to pay for the release of the arrested suspect, claiming the individual had not yet undergone inquest proceedings.
According to the recording, the caller initially demanded P150,000 for the release of the suspect and another arrested individual.
When the family reportedly said they could not raise the amount, the discussion allegedly shifted to P100,000, which they claimed they could afford.
The caller also purportedly instructed the family to wait for further instructions upon arriving at the Molo Police Station.
The identities of the arrested individuals and their occupations were withheld.
In a statement, PRO-6 said it immediately took cognizance of the information circulating online and launched validation efforts to determine the authenticity of the audio recording and identify the individuals involved.
Regional police director Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño stressed that it is too early to make conclusions while the investigation is still ongoing.
“Should the investigation establish that individuals falsely represented themselves as police officers to extort money or deceive the family of an arrested person, appropriate criminal charges will be pursued. Likewise, if any PRO6 personnel are found to have engaged in any unlawful or improper act, they will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law,” Tuaño said.
Tuaño also reminded the public not to give money to anyone claiming they can facilitate the release or bail of an arrested person without first verifying the information with the concerned police station or through official Philippine National Police communication channels.
“Legitimate police procedures do not require payments to individual police officers for the release or processing of criminal cases,” Tuaño added./PN
