Abusive Caloocan cops prey on teener

Two cops caught guzzling beer inside the police detachment are in hot water after an 18-year-old tricycle driver accused them of inflicting injuries and extorting cash from his parents in exchange for his freedom in Caloocan City.

After the young man was set free for P370, the cops thanked him and told him: "Until next time."

Station Intelligence and Investigation Division (SIID) chief Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo identified the rogue cops as SPO1 Raymundo Yanuario, 48, and PO2 Jimmy Margarito, 32, both detailed at the Police Community Precinct 16 located at Cadena de Amor Street in Camarin, Caloocan City.

PO1 Marlon Bingayen, officer-on-case, told The STAR that charges of robbery with physical injuries and extortion against the duo, who are both at large, have been lodged with the Caloocan City Prosecutor’s Office for disposition.

In a sworn statement victim John Paul de los Santos, of 2560 Hotel Street, North Matrix Subdivision in Camarin, said he went to the precinct at around 9 p.m. last Sept. 10 to verify reports that a friend named Jennifer Foronda was arrested.

The young man greeted a police officer seated behind a table, who later turned out to be Yanuario. Once inside, he noticed that Yanuario and Margarito were actually drinking beer behind the table.

"I told them about my purpose and was told there was no Foronda at the precinct. As I was leaving, the two cops held me back. They asked me to remove my earrings and told me that if I wanted them back, I have to bring my parents to see them," De los Santos said. He claimed Margarito held him while Yanuario locked the door.

Margarito then noticed his parked motorcycle outside and asked for the original papers, which were not with the young man at that time. Margarito then went up to the second floor, came out with a pair of handcuffs and asked the victim to put them on.

"When I refused, Margarito pointed a caliber .45 pistol at me, Yanuario, an Armalite. At this point, I was forced to handcuff myself to the window grill," De los Santos said. "I was later asked to remove my shirt and shorts."

"At this point, Yanuario punched me in the stomach and slapped me," he said.

Margarito asked for the victim’s number but was instead given a neighbor’s. When Margarito called and was told there was no one by that name, he confronted the victim, hit him with a plastic chair and mauled him.

Later, the victim’s parents, Jesus and Josephine, arrived with Ricardo Galan, president of the local tricycle drivers association, and spoke with Margarito. Later on, the teenager’s handcuffs were removed as he overheard Margarito asking for P1,000 from his father. The elder De los Santos, who was even offered beer by the cops, was only able to give P370.