2 Manila cops charged for robbing jeepney drivers

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen from the Manila Police District (MPD) were charged Thursday morning for allegedly robbing four jeepney drivers last Sept. 15.

Chief Inspector Arsenio Riparip, MPD general assignment and investigation chief, said yesterday the meeting between the complainants and Police Officer 3 Luisito Dionisio and Police Officer 2 Joselito Saygo, both of the Hermosa precinct, did not result in an amicable settlement “so we were duty-bound to file the case” with the city prosecutor’s office.

Earlier, IG-M Transport operator Eric Castillo and jeepney drivers Leopolco Ganab, Noriel Castaneda and Loth-loth Pilasol accused the two policemen of entering the IG-M compound shortly before midnight on Sept. 16 and accosting them while they were playing cards.

The complainants said that instead of taking them to the police station, Dionisio, Saygo, and two other unidentified men took their earnings for the day, which totaled P5,000.

They said the policemen then walked out of the compound after taking their money.

The complainants said they went to the Hermosa precinct to file a complaint but were surprised to see Dionisio and Laygo there so they decided to proceed to the MPD headquarters.