The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has issued a strong warning against police officers involved in extortion, saying that anyone found collecting illegal payments or protection money, commonly known as 'kotong,' will be removed from government service.

Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan called on both police personnel and the public to stop the practice immediately, stressing that it is illegal for officers to demand money and equally wrong for individuals to give protection payments.

The warning came after members of the Manibela transport group and the family of a slain public utility jeepney driver filed a formal complaint against Police Executive Master Sergeant Edwin Figueroa.

The complainants alleged that the officer was the mastermind behind the killing of the driver after the latter reportedly refused to pay illegal collections or 'butaw.

' Calinisan assured the complainants that Napolcom itself would handle the administrative case without special treatment or backdoor arrangements.

He also instructed the Commission's Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service to fast-track its investigation and resolve the case within 60 days, consistent with the agency's policy on the speedy disposition of administrative complaints.The commissioner said the case forms part of Napolcom's broader effort to eliminate corruption within the Philippine National Police.

He reiterated that any police officer proven to be extorting money from jeepney drivers or other members of the public would face the highest administrative penalty, including dismissal from service.

Calinisan also encouraged all victims of police extortion to report abusive officers directly to Napolcom, the National Capital Region Police Office, or the nearest police station so that appropriate action can be taken.