Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau's anti-scalawag head arrested for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) was arrested by police officers on Monday over allegations of extortion.

Mark Bien Urrieta, head of the MTPB anti-scalawag and cleansing section, was caught in an entrapment operation in front of the Manila city hall at around 6:10 p.m., Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr., director of the Philippine National Police-Counter-Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF), said in a text message.

Policemen placed Urrieta under arrest after he received P6,000 in marked money from a fruit and vegetable dealer.

Caramat said Urrieta had been extorting money from drivers in Manila in exchange for not apprehending them over several violations.

Small-scale traders were also some of Urrieta’s victims, he added.

When he was arrested, Urrieta yielded P306,000 in cash. Investigators are verifying if the money was sourced from his alleged illegal activities, Caramat said.

A source at the Manila city hall said Urrieta was still holding the trader’s driver’s license when he was arrested.

Urrieta is detained at the CITF’s main office at Camp Crame. He is facing charges of robbery extortion.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered the filing of charges against Urrieta.

A source said Urrieta had just finished attending the Manila Police District’s 118th anniversary celebration when he went to the city hall.

Urrieta has led several operations against erring traffic enforcers and earlier told The STAR he was out to rid the MTPB of bad eggs.   – With Jose Rodel Clapano