Ex-traffic enforcers arrested for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Two dismissed employees of the Manila city government’s Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management (DPSTM) were arrested in Tondo Thursday afternoon for allegedly preying on motorists.

Ricardo Tenorio, 22, was arrested along Maginoo street at around 3 p.m. and Rogelio Balatbat along Abad Santos Avenue two hours later.

Tenorio’s arrest stemmed from a complaint by delivery van driver Raymundo Santos, 34, whom Tenorio – wearing a police uniform – flagged down when he stopped at a red light in front of the Department of Public Works and Highways office at around 8 a.m.

Santos said Tenorio asked for his license even if he had no traffic violation. He said when he took out his wallet to get his license, Tenorio grabbed his wallet and fled.

Santos reported the incident to the police. 

Robbery gang

During verification with the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB), police investigators found that Tenorio, Balatbat, and Archelle Carbungco, who was arrested for a similar crime on Dec. 4, were dismissed in May 2017. 

Tenorio and Rocky Macairan managed to escape when Carbungco was arrested. The suspects were charged with usurpation of authority and robbery.

MTPB anti-scalawag and cleansing section chief Mark Bien Urrieta told The STAR that at least 62 dismissed MTPB employees have been arrested and charged and 30 of them are now in jail.

Urrieta said the dismissed employees formed a syndicate after they were dismissed, then continued to act as traffic enforcers.

In Pasig, a traffic constable from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was arrested for allegedly extorting P18,000 from a truck driver on Thursday.

Diosdado dela Cruz, 33, was arrested along Marcos Highway in Barangay dela Paz at about 3 p.m.

Truck driver Francis Leo Lucero, 30, accused Dela Cruz and five other MMDA constables of extorting money from him in exchange for not impounding his vehicle, which they claimed was unregistered.

After handing P18,000 to Dela Cruz, Lucero sought the help of Police Officer 2 Jayson Artista of the Quezon City Police District, who was also driving along the same road.

Artista arrested Dela Cruz, who yielded P9,000.

Chief Superintendent Bernabe Balba, Eastern Police District director, ordered a manhunt for the five other MMDA constables, who escaped following Dela Cruz’s arrest. – Non Alquitran