MMDA traffic enforcer nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A traffic constable of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was apprehended yesterday for allegedly extorting money from a truck driver in Quezon City.

Raul Lopore, 53, was arrested by operatives of the Quezon City Police District along the northbound lane of Congressional Avenue Extension in Barangay Pasong Tamo at around 3:40 a.m., QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said.

Police proceeded to the site in response to complaints that a corrupt MMDA traffic enforcer had been preying on truck drivers passing through the major thoroughfare.

Investigation showed that Lopore pulled over a trailer truck loaded with heavy equipment for not traveling along the truck lane.

According to Torre, Lopore allegedly initially demanded P500 from the driver, Crislie Rife, in exchange for not issuing a traffic violation ticket.

Rife negotiated for a lower amount of P300, which the traffic enforcer accepted.

Police nabbed Lopore in possession of the money.

Edison Nebrija, who heads the MMDA’s Task Force for Special Operations and Anti-Colorum Unit, confronted Lopore at the police station.

“Sinabi ko na sa iyo kung hindi man kita mapaaalis sa MMDA, pulis ang huhuli sa iyo. Hindi ako nagkamali,” Nebrija told Lopore in a video aired on dzBB.

Amid reports of Lopore’s extortion activities, Nebrija said he has not allowed the traffic enforcer to join in their operations since he was assigned to the unit two months ago.

The suspect is being held on charges of robbery and extortion.