LINGAYEN — Philippine National Police chief Arturo Lomibao ordered the PNP anti-illegal gambling task force deactivated Thursday in the wake of an extortion complaint filed against its members.

Lomibao, who graced the opening of the third Gov. Victor Agbayani Shootfest Cup, acted swiftly in response to a complaint filed by San Manuel Mayor Salvador Perez himself.

Peryahan operator Melandreno Castro complained to the mayor and the town police that he was extorted of P35,000 by task force operatives SPO1 Samson Dumlao, SPO1 Artemio Pajemola, SPO1 Parlito Reyes, and civilian agent Dante Abat.

Perez filed attempted robbery and extortion against the Camp Crame operatives.

As a temporary measure, Lomibao ordered the task force deactivated in view of similar complaints reaching him about alleged extortion activities by task force members from various parts of the country. He said he will never tolerate scalawags in the police force to destroy the integrity of the national police.

Only two weeks ago, the task force confiscated illegal video machines called ameneng and hataw from Urdaneta City that led to the relief of Supt. Johnny Bacbac, city police chief. (DOS)