A man posing as a police officer was arrested for extorting money from barangay officials and business owners in Sampaloc, Manila.
The suspect was identified as Chadwick Quiaoit, 39, a member of “Bahala Na Gang”, police said.
Members of Manila Police District (MPD) Station 4 nabbed the suspect, clad in an olive green police training shirt, during an entrapment operation last weekend.
The suspect’s apprehension stemmed from the complaint filed by a businesswoman who claimed that the former introduced himself as Sergeant Hernandez and asked protection money from her.
The complainant learned that the suspect was a bogus cop when she verified his affiliation to a precinct in Sampaloc.
Prior to this, the suspect also asked a barangay councilor to sponsor alcoholic beverages for a supposed occasion at the police station.
According to Senior Inspector Philipp Ines, spokesperson of MPD Station 4, they were receiving reports about the suspect’s illegal activity as early as 2017.
As a matter of fact, Ines said the suspect also used his name in extortion when he was still the commander of España Police Community Precinct (PCP).
“That was not the first time that he did it…[his modus] was to go to 192 barangays of Sampaloc, pretend to be a member of MPD Station 4, then tell his victims that their station commander is asking for something,” Ines said.
“I guess he also visits other districts,” he added.
It was also learned that he had been jailed in 2016 due to illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, the suspect said that he was only doing it so he could have supplies for his drinking session and finance his needs.
Cases of robbery extortion and usurpation of authority have been filed against him.
Authorities also charged him with possession of illegal drugs after seizing a sachet of shabu from him following his arrest. (Ria Fernandez)
