Camp Crame, Quezon City — The Philippine National Police – Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) arrested a female Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) assigned at the Pigcawayan Municipal Police Station, North Cotabato, during an entrapment operation on October 23, 2025, at about 4:45 PM, for alleged illegal collection of fees in connection with the processing of the National Police Clearance.

The operation was conducted by IMEG Mindanao Field Unit (MFU) Team 9 led by PCPT DARWIN L VILORIA, following verified reports of extortion activities involving the issuance of police clearances at Pigcawayan MPS, PPO, PRO 12.

Arrested was NUP Mae Espinosa Ortega, currently detailed as a processor of the National Police Clearance System (NPCS). She was caught red-handed receiving marked money from a poseur-client in exchange for the facilitation of police clearance processing, in clear violation of lawful fee collection procedures.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were the following pieces of evidence:
a. PhP250.00 marked money (two PhP100 bills and one PhP50 bill bearing serial numbers VP902821, N533114, and UE301713, respectively);
b. PhP4,740.00 in assorted bills believed to be proceeds of illegal transactions;
c. One (1) National Police Clearance issued to the poseur-client; and
d. One (1) Official clearance fee receipt.

This operation stemmed from verified intelligence reports received by IMEG regarding the alleged illegal collection of additional fees from clients availing of police clearances. Subsequent surveillance, validation, and confirmatory test-buy operations were conducted, which led to the successful entrapment of the suspect in coordination with the North Cotabato Provincial Police Office, PRO 12. The entire operation was documented through the two (2) Alternative Recording Device (ARDs) to ensure transparency and accountability.

The suspect is now under the custodial detention at Pigcawayan MPS, North Cotabato PPO, PRO 12 for documentation and inquest proceedings.

In a statement, PBGEN BRITON, Director, IMEG lauded the swift action of MFU Team 9, emphasizing the Group’s continuing efforts to cleanse the police service of corruption and abusive practices.

“Integrity within the police organization must be non-negotiable. Whether uniformed or non-uniformed, those who exploit their position for personal gain will face the full force of the law. IMEG will remain relentless in safeguarding public trust and ensuring that every transaction within the PNP is transparent and lawful,” PBGEN BRITON said. ###