Coastguard member who extort money arrested

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard was arrested the other day in a joint entrapment operation at a hotel here, officials said Tuesday.



Brig. General Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office No.9 (PRO-9) director, identified the arrested suspect as Apprentice Seaman (ASN) Aldasher Anni. He was assigned at the Coast Guard Station Basih-Balan, which is under the direct supevision of the Coast Guard District Bangsamoro Autonomous in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).



Ylagan said the suspect was arrested at a pension house around 4:37p.m. last Monday, along Veterans Avenue Extension, Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.



Initial investigation disclosed that Anni’s arrest came after the PCG office received a complaint that he was reportedly extorting money from them.



In a statement, the police chief said the suspect was demanding around Php85,000 for the fast release of the applicant’s medical and dental clearances, even without undergoing evaluation.



PCG then conducted an investigation to the complaint received by the office regarding his modus operandi. After the complaint was confirmed positive, an entrapment operation was immediately planned which resulted in the arrest of the suspect.



Recovered from the suspect, Ylagan said, include marked money consisting of two P1000 bills, plus a bundle of P132k worth of boodle money.



“When you applied to join the Coast Guard, you endured several months of training and lack of communication with your families to transform your civilian character and embrace the military mindset. You are instructed to put service above self, yet there are still those who take advantage of others who only desire to serve the country and help their families,” PCG Vice admiral Laroya, PCG commandant said.



“The PCG will never tolerate extortion or any act of corruption among its personnel. This incident is a warning to the men and women of the Coast Guard that unscrupulous practices will result in the removal of their dignity as public servants and waste their years of service to the nation,” Laroya added. – PNA