Con man nabbed for bribing cops

Being polio-stricken did not deter a con man from seeking custody of arrested drug offenders by introducing himself as a former cop who became a victim of an ambush by the New People’s Army in Isabela province.

When he was unmasked, he again tried to prevail upon authorities by flashing an identification card of a supposed non-government organization supporting President Arroyo.

When all his attempts failed, he even tried to bribe the arresting officers.

Edwin Cafranca, 35, of Pandacan, is now facing charges of usurpation of authority, bribery and attempt to harbor criminals.

According to Senior Inspector Baltazar Beran, chief of the Manila Police District’s District Police Intelligence Unit (DPIU), Cafranca, who is in crutches, barged into his office and asked for custody of three persons arrested for possession of illegal drugs. The three, together with three others, were arrested by DPIU operatives at the Paco public market yesterday for engaging in an illegal dice game.

When frisked, Restituto Elizalde, 45; Jeffrey Hoy, 22; and Rosemarie San Miguel, 21, yielded an unspecified quantity of shabu in their pockets.

Cafranca introduced himself as a former Isabela policeman, according to Beran. "Naambush daw siya ng NPA at tinamaan sa dalawang hita kaya siya nakasaklay," Beran added.

The DPIU chief became suspicious when the supposed officer failed to salute him — a usual practice in the police force when a lower-ranked cop is faced with a superior.

When asked to show the scar of his wounds on both legs, the impostor instead showed a scar on his spinal cord which he claimed was hit by a bullet from a caliber .45 pistol.

"Dito na ko naghinala. Pag tinamaan ka sa spinal cord siguradong patay ka o gulay ka. Nang tignan ko ang mga hita niya napansin ko na mga payat ito katulad ng mga may polio," Beran said.

When Beran asked for his police ID, Cafranca instead showed an ID of "Pag-asa at Gabay ng Mamamayan para sa Pag-Asenso Inc. (PGMA), of which he is president and CEO.

Cafranca even threatened to call up Malacañang. Beran was able to confirm the non-existence of the group by calling Palace officials himself.

Sensing his failure to persuade the DPIU chief, Cafranca then offered to give cash for the release of the three drug suspects. "Dito na namin sya kinasuhan. Malamang protector siya ng grupo. Tinangka pa niyang takutin ang mga pulis ko," Beran told The STAR.

The three nabbed for illegal drugs were also charged with violation of the anti-drugs law and illegal gambling.

The DPIU is now looking into possible extortion and swindling activities of Cafranca.

"We are also releasing the photo of the suspect for identification of other victims for the filing of more charges," Beran said.