Retired cop, 2 others nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - A retired policeman and two of his companions were arrested in Quezon City Thursday afternoon after they were caught posing as traffic policemen and extorting money from motorists.

Retired Senior Police Officer 3 Jerry Oiga, 55; police aide Ramilo Calinawan, 43; and Montano Ebe, 55, were arrested at past 3 p.m. at the corner of Regalado and Bristol streets in Barangay North Fairview, according to Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Mario de la Vega.

Police seized from the suspects two booklets of old ordinance violation receipts, four drivers’ licenses, two motorcycle plates (7475 UN and 7601 OO), and a signboard.

De la Vega said the three suspects were still in police uniform bearing the logo of the QCPD’s District Traffic Enforcement Unit when they were arrested. Oiga had been retired two years ago as a policeman of the QCPD while Calinawan is a radio operator of the DTEU.