Revamp ordered in Ermita cop station

Following the alleged robbery of a Saudi Arabian tourist last week by four members of the Sta. Monica police detachment in Ermita, Manila, precinct commander Superintendent Manolo Martinez yesterday ordered a top-to-bottom revamp of the detachment.

According to Martinez, the revamp was prompted by a call by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza to beef-up police operations against criminals preying on tourists.

Last Monday, four policemen detailed with the Sta. Monica police community precinct found themselves in hot water after they were accused by Saudi-Arabian tourist Abdulrahman Alhu-Edhi of allegedly robbing him.

Now facing investigation are Police Officer 1 Oliver Aluning, 27, PO1 Roger Romualdo, 27; PO1 Eduardo Robles, 32; and PO1 Edwin Jurilla.

According to police reports, victim Abdulrahman Alhu-Edhi, 37, was aboard a taxicab and had just left the Pan Pacific hotel where he was billeted when he was stopped by Aluning, Romualdo and Jurilla, who were aboard prowl car number 3125 along Adriatico Street at about 9:00 p.m.

The policemen accused Alhu-Edhi of alleged possession of marijuana and asked that he accompany them to the Sta. Monica police community precinct (PCP) for investigation.

Upon arrival at the Sta. Monica PCP, the victim alleged that he was taken hostage by the policemen and was allegedly "mentally tortured" to admit to the charge of drug possession.

Later, the suspects allegedly told him to produce $1,500 in exchange for his freedom. Investigators said the victim only managed to produce $200.

Later, Aluning and Danilo Gidoc, said to be a police asset, escorted Alhu-Edhi out of the police detachment to change his traveler’s checks. However, as they found no currency exchange shop open at that time, Aluning and Gidoc brought the victim back to his hotel supposedly to get more cash from his wife.

Upon arrival at the hotel lobby, Alhu-Edhi started shouting and attracted the attention of hotel security guards who accosted Gidoc and Aluning.

Under police custody, Gidoc and Aluning identified their cohorts. The four policemen and Gidoc are now under the custody of the General Assignments Section of the Western Police District.

According to Martinez, the probe also included Sta. Monica PCP commander Senior Inspector Linsley Pillejera for command responsibility over the incident. – Mike Frialde