Sacked cop nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - A recently dismissed Malabon City police officer was arrested before midnight Thursday for allegedly extorting money from market vendors in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Ferdinand del Rosario, Northern Police District (NPD) spokesman, said ex-PO1 Herminio Frias III still had his police-issued 9mm pistol when he was arrested at about 11:30 p.m.

Del Rosario said Frias, formerly assigned at the Malabon City police station, was “dropped from the rolls” of the NPD last Sept. 18 for being absent for a month without official leave.

Superintendent Reydante Ariza, NPD-Special Operation Group chief said the vendors at the Bonifacio market in Monumento reported that a drunk policeman armed with a pistol was allegedly extorting money from them and destroying their stalls if they refuse.

Ariza said they are also verifying “intelligence reports” linking Frias to a number of gas station robberies in northern Metro Manila.

Senior Superintendent Pepito Pacada, NPD deputy chief for operations, said they will file charges of usurpation of authority and illegal possession of firearm against Frias and request that he undergo drug testing.