2 cops face ax for extort try on Calderon kin

Two Manila policemen were ordered relieved yesterday, even as criminal charges were filed against them for allegedly extorting a relative of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon.

Senior Police Officer 3 Noel Cabuhat and PO3 Jess Garcia, both assigned at the Ermita police station, were transferred to the Manila Police District (MPD)’s Mobile Force Unit while their cases are being heard by the district’s pre-charge investigation unit.

"The officers are facing dismissal from service if they will be proven liable for the offenses being imputed against them," MPD director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa said.

According to the investigation conducted by Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) chief Superintendent Marcelino Pedroso Jr. the two policemen reportedly arrested Lauro Calderon, 44; Roland Orfanel, 44; and Alex Yu, who were drinking beer at the lobby of the Metropolitan Tower on Mabini street in Malate, Manila.

Yu is a tenant, while Orfanel works as a maintenance officer of the building. Calderon is a visitor of the two.

In their sworn affidavits, the three said they were surprised when they were arrested since they were inside a private building and they were drinking in the presence of the building guards. Worse, the two arresting cops were not in police uniforms, they said. They were being charged with drinking in public place.

When they were brought to the Ermita police station, Orfanel and Yu were placed behind bars, while Calderon was allowed outside the cell after the cops learned that he is a relative of Gen. Calderon.

When the three were released at 4 a.m., Calderon learned that Yu gave P10,000 to the two policemen in exchange for their liberty.

"These two scalawag cops have the temerity to extort money from my friend Yu in spite of the fact that they know that I am a relative of the PNP chief," Calderon said. – Nestor Etolle