Fake cop arrested in Caloocan

A 30-year-old driver who passed himself as a police officer and a security aide of a Caloocan City Hall legal officer was arrested Thursday night and charged with usurpation of authority and illegal possession of firearm and ammunitions.

Superintendent Rafael Santiago Jr., Northern Police District-District Investigation and Detective Management Division (NPD-DIDM) chief, identified the suspect as Allan Habelito, a resident of Mapalad street, Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City.

Caloocan City prosecutor Emmanuel Guiyab recommended a total of P90,000 bail for Habelito’s temporary liberty.

Habelito was arrested in front of the Caloocan City Hall at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday by the NPD-DIID operatives, who noticed the .45 caliber pistol in a holster attached to his belt. He was in civilian attire.

Senior Police Officer 3 Manuel Panlaque, Police Officer 3 Alexander Ibe, and Police Officers 2 Arnel de Guzman and Virgel Nicolas confronted Habelito, who reportedly resisted and introduced himself as a police officer and a security aide.

But when asked for proof and his police identification card, Habelito failed to show any, including documents for his gun, which was loaded with six bullets. Panlaque’s team arrested Habelito.

The suspect was still detained yesterday at the NPD-DIDM detention cell. – Pete Laude