2 cops accused of extorting money from foreigners

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen believed to be involved in extorting money from foreigners they arrest in tourist destinations in Metro Manila were arrested as they were illegally parked near a hotel in Pasay City Monday afternoon, apparently waiting for possible victims, an official said yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 1 Roy Magnayon and PO3 Edwardo Cayabyab, both assigned at the Philippine National Police Regional Personnel Holding and Administrative Unit, were in police uniform when they were accosted in a heavily tinted gray Toyota Revo near the hotel at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and EDSA Extension, according to Pasay police deputy chief Superintendent Samuel Turla.

Cayabyab yielded an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol. Magnayon was released pending further investigation while Cayabyab will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and violating the land transportation law for using a dilapidated license plate on the Revo. Investigators are still checking if the vehicle is stolen.

Turla said the two policemen were arrested following a tip that the Revo, identified as the getaway vehicle of policemen preying on tourists, was seen near the Pasay hotel.

Chief Inspector Joey Goforth, chief of the criminal investigation division, said they have already informed some of the victims and asked them to identify the suspects.

A team from the Makati police rushed to the Pasay police headquarters to coordinate the filing of robbery-extortion charges against Cayabyab, whom they accused of targeting foreigners along Ayala Avenue.

“We have at least five cases reported and we are coordinating with the victims,” an investigator told The STAR.