‘Lawman’ robs American in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - An American woman was robbed of P2,000 in Manila yesterday by a man who claimed to be a police officer based in Camp Crame.

Ana Camuel Lightfoot, 34, said she and her husband, Damon, were in a van along Singalong street at around 11 a.m. when they were flagged down by a man wearing a police uniform and riding a motorcycle with plate number 1768-NM.

She told investigators at the Manila Police District’s general assignment section that the policeman claimed they had committed a traffic violation because their van was tinted. He demanded P2,000, Lightfoot said, adding that she told the policeman they did not have that much money.

The policeman was furious when he accepted the P400 she gave him, Lightfoot said.

As they were negotiating, the policeman became angry when he noticed that Lightfoot took pictures of him using her cell phone. She said the policeman threatened to take their vehicle’s license plate and cell phone, but settled for the money and fled.