The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has filed a case against a Coast Guard officer who allegedly tried to extort P150,000 from an applicant in exchange for a “guaranteed” entrance into the PCG.
The PCG identified the officer as CG Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Ibrahim Banota. The alleged incident occurred amid the ongoing PCG nationwide recruitment cycle for calendar year 2024.
The PCG said it received a report regarding the illegal activity of the said Coast Guard personnel on May 19.
Five days later, the PCG and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 9 conducted an entrapment operation to arrest PO3 Banota of the Coast Guard Station Western Tawi-Tawi in Zamboanga City.
“Filing of case is now on process for violation under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (Estafa) for a criminal case and Section IX, A. Grave Offenses, paragraph 24 of National Headquarters – Philippine Coast Guard / Coast Guard Internal Affairs Service (NHQ – PCG / CGIAS) Circular Number 13-19 for administrative case,” the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) said.
The PCG encourages applicants and other concerned individuals to report illegal activities related to the nationwide recruitment via the Coast Guard Human Resource Management Command (CGHRMC) for immediate and appropriate action.
