Towing firm owner, MTPB enforcer charged for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — The owner of a towing company, a traffic enforcer and a Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) employee were charged with carjacking and robbery extortion on Monday after a truck owner complained they illegally towed and impounded his vehicle Saturday night.

Officers of the National Capital Region Police Office-Regional Special Operations Unit raided the MTPB compound along Quezon Boulevard and arrested its caretaker, Rolando Toquero, 39.

Romy Maniquez, owner of RWM Towing Services, and a certain “Maloy,” a traffic enforcer, remain at large.

The case stemmed from the complaint of Teodorico Gervacio, who alleged that the suspects impounded his 10-wheeler truck after his driver failed to give them grease money.

Gervacio said Maloy stopped his driver over a trumped-up violation and demanded the driver’s license.

He said his driver handed Maloy his Ordinance Violation Receipt issued by the Bacoor, Cavite traffic management department last June 11. Maloy insisted on impounding the truck.

At the impounding area, Toquero ordered the driver to produce P10,000 but the latter haggled until Toquero settled at P8,500.

Upon learning of the incident, Gervacio sought the assistance of NCRPO personnel, who staged the sting.

Toquero was handcuffed as soon as he received the marked money.