Parking attendant accuses 2 cops of extortion

MANILA, Philippines -  Two policemen were charged with robbery yesterday after allegedly extorting more than P2,000 from a parking attendant in Quezon City last week.

Frederick Pabilando told investigators he was helping a motorist get out of a parking space just before midnight on April 2 in Barangay Damayan when Police Officer 2 Frederick Mar Silos and PO1 Ervin Villarama arrived in the area on a motorcycle, accosted him and asked him to empty his pockets.

Case investigator PO2 Julius Balbuena said the two police officers reportedly took Pabilando’s money when he did so.

Pabilando also said the two policemen forced him to ride their motorcycle, dropped him off at the corner of Tolentino and George Canseco streets then told him to run or be shot.

He said he went to the barangay hall to file a complaint and identified the two policemen, who are with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 2, from their personnel file photos.