PNP CHIEF, PGEN RODOLFO S AZURIN, JR announces today the arrest of an active PNP personnel for Robbery (Extortion) in an entrapment operation by the elements of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group around 3:20 PM today.

Citing a report from Director, IMEG PBGEN WARREN F DE LEON, the arrested suspect is identified as PSSg Paul Dennis B Traya, 40 years old and designated as Traffic Investigator of Mambaling Police Station 11, Cebu City Police Office, Police Regional Office 7.

The operation was launched after the complainant sought IMEG’s assistance to help him recover his motorcycle which was impounded on January 24, 2023. Accordingly, the complainant was flagged down by the said PNP personnel who was manning the checkpoint together with several force multipliers while he was traveling along Atillos T. Brgy. Mambaling, Cebu City. He said that he is still processing the renewal of his motorcycle.

“The suspect, together with other motorists with traffic violations was brought to Mambaling Police Station 11. They were told that their motorcycles will be impounded but the complainant was wondering why he was not given any citation tickets. He then approaches PSSg Traya regarding the citation ticket but the former only mentioned lowering the penalty in the amount of PhP3,000.00 in exchange for not issuing the ticket and for the release of his motorcycle.” PBGEN DE LEON said.

PBGEN DE LEON further revealed that the suspect instructed the complainant to meet him at the parking lot of Miller Hospital, Tres de Abril St., San Nicolas, Cebu City and call him once he gets there.

“So, our Team 7 of the Visayas Field Unit positioned to the said place and waited for the suspect. When PSSg Traya saw our complainant, he immediately received the money without realizing that our operatives are already in the place to arrest him.” D, IMEG added.

PSSg Traya will be facing charges for the crime of Robbery (Extortion) and currently, he is in the custody IMEG Visayas Field Unit Office in Camp Sergio Osmena Sr., Osmena Blvd., Cebu City for documentation and proper disposition.

During the operation, the following pieces of evidence were recovered from the possession of the suspect:

a. Three pieces of 1,000.00-peso bill (marked money) with serial numbers QG456252, FA117555 and JT701962;

b. One piece of 100.00-peso bill with serial WS099418;

c. One unit of Glock caliber 9mm Pistol with serial number PNP 16241 with two magazines;

d. 44 pieces of live ammunition;

e. PNP ID card under the name of PSSg Paul Dennis B Traya; and

“I would like to thank other PNP units, our fellow police officers who accompanied the complainant to our VFU Office who was adamant at first because of fear. This is a manifestation that we are one in this fight against police scalawags. This is a fight that we need to continue and work harder together as one PNP organization guided by the stewardship of our Chief PNP, PGEN RODOLFO SANTOS AZURIN JR.” PBGEN DE LEON said. ####