Cop arrested for extortion

A policeman formerly assigned to the Traffic Management Group was arrested for reportedly extorting money from drivers transporting livestock in barangay Dakit, Barili town, yesterday morning

SPO3 Noe Urbiztondo, 53, a resident of barangay Labangon, Cebu City, is now detained in the Barili Detention Cell after being arrested by Barili police chief Insp. Ricardo Nayne, PO3 Michael Santino and PO2 Marianito Morales in an entrapment operation.

Thursday last week, the policemen of the town received complaints from drivers who said Urbiztondo flagged them down and asked money from them so that they will not be arrested.

The drivers reportedly gave him from between P50 to P200.

One of Urbiztondo's victims, Servando Alvarado, of barangay Magay, Barili town, already filed his affidavit yesterday at the police station.

For the entrapment operation, the arresting policemen drove a vehicle loaded with livestock heading for barangay Mantalongon, Barili, where there was a market day. Morales pretended to be the driver while Nayne and Santino were sitting at the back pretending to be passengers.

Eventually, Urbiztondo, who was wearing a police uniform, flagged them down about two kilometers away from Mantalongon and demanded P100 from Morales so that he will not be arrested.

Morales gave him the marked money and the policemen arrested him after he accepted it. Aside from the marked money, police were able to confiscate from him P200 allegedly taken from other drivers and a homemade .45 cal. pistol with four live bullets.

Charges for robbery, extortion and illegal possession of firearms were filed against Urbiztondo by the operatives yesterday. Urbiztondo admitted to the crime saying he had a financial problem.

A town policeman who requested anonymity yesterday said that Urbiztondo is a former member of the TMG and was already assigned to the Caraga region in Mindanao four days ago.

He said Urbiztondo might be absent without leave since he did not report his newly assignment. - Norvie S. Misa/BRP