Cop, 4 traffic enforcers nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer and four traffic enforcers were arrested in separate extortion cases in Makati and Pasay yesterday.

Pat. John Felix, assigned with the Makati police station 2, and traffic enforcer Jason Parcon were caught in a sting by the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group along Palm Avenue in Makati at around 5:45 a.m.

In a report, IMEG director Col. Romeo Caramat Jr. said the operation stemmed from the complaint of truck operator that the suspects were demanding P100 from the driver of every truck entering Dasmariñas Village.

An investigation revealed the trucks have obtained permits to enter the posh village as these are being utilized for a construction site.

“However, suspects are still requiring them to pay P100 for every truck for more than a month already,” Caramat said.

This prompted the owner of the trucks to report the suspects’ extortion activities.

In Pasay, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers Jovelino Cayetona and Romualdo Aggabao and Pasay enforcer Rogelio Acebuche were arrested at past midnight yesterday for allegedly trying to extort P200,000 from a motorist.

Daryl Warde, 24, was driving along Macapagal Boulevard when the enforcers flagged him down and demanded P200,000 from him even if he supposedly did not commit a violation and was not issued a citation ticket, police said.

Warde sought the help of Cpl. Bryan Diaz, Cpl. Francis JR Suriaga and Pat. Kevin Javier, who were at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex precinct.

The suspects were then brought to the Pasay police station for investigation. 

MMDA traffic czar Bong Nebrija advised motorists that “our working hours are only until 10 p.m. If you get caught late at night, ask for a mission order and their identities.”