By RIA FERNANDEZ
A police officer assigned to the Northern Police District (NPD) was arrested early Tuesday morning for allegedly extorting “parking fees” from truck drivers in Tondo, Manila.
The suspect was identified as Patrolman Arnel Pastrana Agustin, 35, detailed at NPD Traffic Enforcement Unit, a resident of Tondo,.
He was nabbed on Road 10 when members of the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU) arrived for clearing operation in the area past 7 a.m.
According to Police Corporal Jed Magat, Rico Aleon, one of the truck drivers in front of Manila North Harbor, told his group that their colleague already went there to collect protection money to allow them to stay in the area.
The suspect even allegedly got mad when he was given P50, saying the amount was not “in” anymore but he still accepted it.
Later Magat and his companion, Police Corporal John Patrick Caranguian, chanced upon Agustin and quizzed him why he was there. Agustin told them that he was just urinating and then he suddenly ran away.
The MPD traffic enforcers, however, cornered and apprehended him.
The Manila cops recovered from Agustin an unregistered .45-caliber pistol with eight bullets and a butterfly knife.
It was learned that the suspect had been a subject of several extortion complaints lodged at the Manila Police District (MPD).
Police Staff Sergeant Kaiser Mijares, investigator on case of MPD General Assignment and Investigation Section (GAIS), said the suspect was previously dismissed from service but was reinstated in 2013.
He has been introducing himself as a member of the Manila’s Finest since he started his illegal activity at least three years ago.
He was also on-duty when he committed the latest incident, Mijares added.
“[We will charge him with] usurpation of authority, robbery extortion, and illegal possession of firearms in relation to Omnibus Election Code… We will also refer him for administrative cases,” Mijares said.
Meanwhile, MPD chief Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao, Jr. issued an advice to the erring police.
“Don’t post bail or don’t go out yet while I am here. It will be better if you stay in prison and help there.”
He also vowed to go after his people who will be caught doing the same thing.
“This is just a sample. I will not allow that. For P50, the whole MPD will be destroyed…the salary of police has already been increased. So, it is shameful. It is the time of change now,” Danao said.
