4 QC cops face robbery charges

MANILA, Philippines - Four police officers are facing robbery and other criminal complaints filed by two men they reportedly arrested for participating in an illegal cock-fighting game, an official said yesterday.

The policemen, all under the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 4, were accused of taking more than P30,000 cash and a silver necklace.

Senior Police Officer 3 Rodell Rabina, Senior Police Officer 1 Rodante Lalimarmo, Police Officer 2 Armando Baez and Police Officer 1 Reyjel Nadura were also accused of arbitrarily detaining complainants Edgardo Montero and Juanito Piloton.

Montero claimed he was also hurt in the incident, which happened in Novaliches on Sunday.

Inspector Alan dela Cruz, head of the QCPD’s Theft and Robbery Investigation Section, said the three policemen were reportedly in civilian clothing when they apprehended a group of men engaged in “tupada.”

The policemen then allegedly arrested Piloton, who claimed he was just standing near his brother’s house a few meters away from the site of the gambling.

Piloton claimed Lalimarmo took his money, which he had just loaned from Pag-ibig Fund, worth P18,070.

Montero, who was also in the area, appealed to the policemen to release Piloton, claiming he was not a participant in the gambling activity. Policemen then included him among those arrested.

Montero then tried running but was allegedly cornered and hit with a gun by Baez at the back.

An unidentified police informant frisked Montero and then grabbed his silver necklace and ID card holder containing money worth P12,375.

The two were brought to the police station, where they were told that bail for illegal gambling would amount to P20,000.

When Piloton’s wife arrived, she was allegedly told that if she could provide P1,500 for her husband’s release, the latter would be freed.

The wife allegedly agreed to shell out the amount and the two men were released that night.