2 QC cops face extortion, illegal detention charges

MANILA, Philippines - Two Quezon City policemen are facing serious illegal detention and extortion charges after they allegedly picked up a man and took his P40,000 intended for his wife’s surgery.

Police Officer 2 Martin Alcarde and Police Officer 1 Wendell Verano, both members of the Quezon City Police District Station 2, were charged before the city prosecutor’s office on Monday based on the complaint of Emmanuel Valencia, 30, an attendant at a gasoline station.

Valencia said he just borrowed the money from his boss. He said his wife was scheduled to undergo surgery for her appendicitis.

Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said the two policemen have not reported for work after they were charged.

Marcelo said their investigation showed that on June 25, Valencia got off the bus along North EDSA from a trip to his hometown in Ilocos Sur where he visited his ailing wife.

He was walking along North Avenue when he was accosted by a policeman on a patrol car.

Without being told of his supposed violation, the policeman ordered Valencia to get inside the police vehicle where he was allegedly handcuffed.

Valencia said another policeman took his bag containing the money before he was dropped off along Kamuning.

He said the police officers told him not to look back as he walked away or they would shoot him.

Valencia identified Alcarde as the driver of the patrol car who allegedly threatened to kill him. He said Verano was the one who took his money and handcuffed him.