Police file extortion case against patrolwoman

By NITZ ARANCON
and JOEY NACALABAN
Correspondents .

AUTHORITIES yesterday pressed charges of extortion, estafa and robbery against a patrolwoman arrested during an entrapment at Don Apolinar Velez and Kalambaguhan streets on Tuesday.

The Divisoria police filed the complaint against Patrolwoman Sheryl Lou Rances Licayan before the City Prosecutor’s Office at around 1:10 pm.

Licayan, 38, of Hilltop, District 1, Macanhan, Carmen, was arrested by members of the Camp Alagar’s intelligence division and the Divisoria police at a Jollibee branch at around 3 pm.

Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, city police spokesman, said the patrolwoman from the Carmen police station was caught with a P3-thousand marked money.

Hortillosa said Licayan had allegedly asked money from a woman who applied for work intended for non-uniformed personnel at Camp Alagar.

He said it was a bribe given in exchange for a promise of work at Camp Alagar.

Hortillosa said the woman brought the matter to the attention of police officials, resulting in the entrapment.

The policewoman, who served as a desk officer at the Carmen police station, was with her 10-year-old son when she was arrested.

Aside from criminal charges, Hortillosa said, Licayan would also be slapped with an administrative case.

Licayan was placed under detention at the Maharlika police headquarters.

Camp Alagar, in a statement, said there were already persistent reports about the policewoman who was allegedly collecting money from applicants.

Police regional director Brig. Gen. Rafael Santiago called on police officers to shape up.

“We will not lower our guard against rogue cops. We will continue our campaign until we have cleansed our rank of unfit and undesireable police officers I will never tolerate misdeeds during my watch,” Santiago said.