(Photo by Dexter Terante)
This follows administrative complaints lodged against Hernia and Cariaga after a raid alleged to be a scam hub at Century Peak Tower in Manila on October 30, 2024, where alleged extortion of arrested foreigners and police cover-up of the establishment's CCTV took place.
Police Brigadier General Reynaldo Tamondong will temporarily take over for Hernia at the NCRPO, while Police Colonel Vina Guzman will act as the director of the ACG.
Following the questioning of their arrests by four Chinese citizens at an alleged scam hub in Manila on October 30, 2024, Philippine National Police Chief General Rommel Marbil ordered Hernia and Cariaga to step down from their positions temporarily.
One of the foreigners claimed that police officers attempted to extort them for one million pesos each in exchange for a lawyer supposedly connected with high-ranking NCRPO officials to secure their release.
Additionally, three PNP-ACG police officers were alleged to have covered the CCTV cameras, supposedly to hide their topless states due to the extreme heat in the location during the raid. These officers climbed twenty-three floors as the building's elevator was turned off, along with the air conditioning.
In a statement released by the NCRPO last Monday, Hernia denied allegations of extortion against him and fourteen other NCRPO officers. "NCRPO Director Major General Sidney Hernia categorically denied allegations of extortion made against him and 14 other NCRPO officers, describing them as 'absurd and unfounded'," the NCRPO statement said. Hernia is also reportedly ready to be investigated.
"This is a chance for the truth to prevail, and I am confident that the investigation will reveal that all procedures followed were lawful and proper," Hernia stated. "The NCRPO remains steadfast in its mission to combat criminality and protect the public from fraudulent activities. We stand ready to clear our names and reinforce our dedication to integrity and service," he added.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, the spokesperson for the PNP, stated that Hernia and Cariaga would be reinstated to their previous positions and assignments once proven that there had been no negligence in their leadership and that all police operational procedures were followed.
