CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Agents from the PNP Counter Intelligence Group arrested Saturday the chief of police of Bocaue, Bulacan for alleged robbery-extortion, authorities here announced.
Central Luzon police director Chief Supt Amador Corpus identified the suspect as Supt. Jowen de la Cruz, who did not resist arrest.
De La Cruz was arrested during an entrapment set by authorities against him. He was caught red-handed while receiving a high-end cellphone from the victim.
The victim, identity withheld for security reasons, sought the assistance of PNP CIG when De La Cruz declined to return the Montero Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) of the victim’s younger brother, who was arrested by Bocaue cops for illegal drugs offense.
The SUV was even used as a personal vehicle of the COP. The vehicle was not listed among items taken into custody by the police during the buy bust.
In one instance, the victim said De la Cruz demanded a high-end cell phone in exchange of the SUV.
“According to the complainant, PSupt Dela Cruz was asking for an Iphone X worth P75K in exchange for the release of the said vehicle, hence the entrapment operation was made,” it was stated in police report.
During the raid, CIG agents recovered several vehicles under the custody of the arrested police officer.
“It was believed that the same modus will be implemented for the release of other confiscated vehicles after payment of some amount is made to subject police officer,” said Corpus.
The arrested suspect is under the custody of CIG as appropriate charges are being readied for filing in court.
PNP Chief PDG Oscar Albayalde said, “Just like the war on drugs, the PNP’s internal cleansing program will be relentless and chilling. There will be no let-up in this campaign. Let this be another stern warning to those, who by their misdeeds, continue to mock the professionalism and integrity expected of each police officer.”