Manila residents expose illegal moves of hulidap cops

Residents of Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday denounced the illegal operations of so-called "hulidap" cops who allegedly conduct searches and seizures in their homes in the guise of looking for illegal gambling activities.

Neighborhood associations in Dagupan, Bambang and Masangkay streets identified the alleged police operatives as PO2 Efren Custodio, PO3 Jess Magat and PO2 Owel Rodriguez, reportedly detailed at the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) of the National Capital Region Police Office. The residents claim these policemen would barge into houses suspected as gambling dens and would search and seize materials without proper warrants. Most of the time, the residents alleged, the operatives would arrest innocent residents and threaten them with charges unless they come out with an amount.

According to one group leader, the NCRPO-RSAU is not a police operating unit but merely an augmentation force, hence, its members are not authorized to conduct operations even against illegal gambling. The group’s leader said they will seek a dialogue with NCRPO chief Director Vidal Querol to report the abuses of RSAU members. "We are sure that General Querol is not aware of the illegal activities of some of his men," a group leader, who requested anonymity, said.

The Philippine National Police has launched a crackdown against "hulidap" cops following reports that cases of "arrest and extortion" of men in uniform are on the rise as revealed by Chinese-Filipino and Muslim communities. According to these groups, although kidnap-for-ransom cases have slightly gone down, cases of police extortion are reportedly on the rise.

In related developments, Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong assured the residents that he will conduct an investigation into the alleged illegal activities of these so-called "hulidap" cops. – Nestor Etolle