Traffic cop nabbed for robbery-extortion

A traffic policeman was arrested last Wednesday right inside the headquarters of the Traffic Enforcement Office (TEO) in Parañaque City for allegedly extorting P3,000 from a delivery van driver.

PO2 Luisito Manalaysay tried to reach for his caliber .45 automatic pistol, but decided against engaging the arresting team from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) after realizing he was outnumbered.

Raiding team leader Superintendent Alex Sintin, of the NCRPO’s Counter-Intelligence Special Unit (CISU), seized the P3,000 marked money from Manalaysay along with his service firearm, three magazines, a handheld radio and his cell phone.

Sintin also took custody of an impounded Isuzu Elf (CSE 319), which Manalaysay seized from its driver, Juliter Nacional, 24, last Nov. 25.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol has ordered summary dismissal proceedings against the traffic cop.

"We don’t want him to stay longer in the police service," said Querol as he warned other erring policemen to reform or suffer the same fate.

Sintin said Manalaysay flagged down the Isuzu Elf truck near the Sucat exit of the South Superhighway last Nov. 25. He accused Nacional of driving a colorum vehicle sporting a fake license plate.

Manalaysay confiscated Nacional’s license and told him he could get it back for P3,000.

The cop impounded the vehicle and did not issue a traffic violation receipt (TVR).

After five days, the owner of the delivery van reported the extortion activities of Manalaysay to Querol, who immediately directed Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., NCRPO intelligence chief, to set up an entrapment operation against the traffic cop.

Rojas said Manalaysay rushed back to the TEO office at the San Antonio complex in Valley 1 after receiving a text message from Nacional that the money was available.

Unknown to Manalaysay, elements of the CISU and the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) were already positioned outside the TEO office.

When Nacional sent a missed call to Sintin as pre-arranged signal that Manalaysay had received the marked money, the raiders rushed inside and announced the arrest .

"He even tried to draw his weapon, but he was outnumbered. We then disarmed and handcuffed him," Sintin said.

Rojas said Manalaysay was brought to the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame for examination of ultra-violet powder on his palms.

Sintin said Manalaysay denied extorting money from Nacional. "Tumulong lang ako," the erring cop told Sintin.

Manalaysay is currently detained at the CISU headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Charges of robbery-extortion are being readied against him.