7 'cops' caught at QC checkpoint

MANILA, Philippines - Seven fake police officers were arrested at a checkpoint in Fairview, Quezon City Friday night, officials said yesterday.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega said two complainants have come forward to file charges against the seven suspects for allegedly forcing them into a vehicle and robbing them.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao identified the suspects as Romeo Mendoza, Johnny Mendoza, Ricardo Puzon, Edwin Mallari, Alejandro Cortez, Ferdinand Tolentino, and Agusto Rodriguez.

In an interview, Pagdilao said the suspects, who were riding a Toyota L200 van, were arrested at past 9 p.m. as they approached the checkpoint along J. P. Rizal street in Barangay Sta. Lucia.

“We’ve intensified our checkpoints partly because of personalities posing as policemen to perpetuate their criminal activities,” Pagdilao said.

QCPD Station 5 commander Superintendent Virgilio Fabian said his men, led by Chief Inspector Roldante Sarmiento, flagged down the suspects at the checkpoint. Fabian said the suspects introduced themselves as policemen when accosted by those manning the checkpoint.

“They blew their cover when they could not present (identification cards) and their badge,” Pagdilao said.

According to Pagdilao, the suspects are liable for usurpation of authority for posing as law enforcement agents. Fabian said that after the suspects were brought to the police station, two men came to the station and accused them of committing robbery-extortion that same night.

Fabian said one was a student who said the suspects hit his chest when they could not get any money from him. The other man said he gave the suspects P300.

Pagdilao said that based on the account of the two complainants, the suspects would randomly pick up people on the road, force the victims into their vehicle, extort money from them, then drop them off elsewhere.