Rookie cop faces raps for harassing traders

MANILA, Philippines - A rookie policeman was ordered arrested by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday after he received complaints that the policeman was harassing small entrepreneurs in Tondo.

Lim gave the order to Senior Inspector Mar Reyes, chief of the City Hall Action and Police Assistance (CHAPA) based on a complaint by 27 cellular phone technicians who claimed that Police Officer 1 Jeffrey Diaz allegedly confiscated all the cell phones in their stores along Juan Luna street last Aug. 2.

They said he also took two of their colleagues, who were later released. None of the cell phones were returned.

Two days later, the complainants said Diaz came back. They said he was wearing civilian clothes, smelled of liquor, and had a gun visibly tucked into his waistband.

They said Diaz has 30 of their cell phones, and they have to deal with the owners of those who merely had their units repaired or upgraded.

 – Sandy Araneta