Forty-four members of the Angeles City Police Station 5 were relieved of their duties following the formal filing of a case against 7 police officers accused of illegally detaining and extorting money from 3 South Korean tourists last month.

Police Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, regional director of Police Regional Office 3, made the announcement in a case conference held Tuesday with representatives of the Korean Community Association.

Police Chief Insp. Rolando Doroja, the new station commander of Angeles City Police Station 5, vowed to regain the public's trust.

Lee Ki Hoon, one of the Korean victims, has also filed robbery and kidnapping charges against PO1 Jayson Ibe, PO1 Ruben Rodriguez II, PO1 Mark Joseph Pineda, PO2 Richard King Agapito, PO3 Arnold Nagayo, PO3 Roentjen Domingo and PO3 Gomerson Evangelista.

Lee returned to the Philippines to give a formal statement on the alleged robbery.

He was accompanied by witnesses Tomas Jung, who allegedly gave the ransom to the accused officers and a house helper.

The other police officers will be transferred to other stations in Angeles City, while the 7 others who are accused are still under restrictive custody. - report from Trisha Mostoles, ABS-CBN News