Traffic enforcer accused of extortion

CEBU, Philippines - A traffic enforcer assigned to the controversial towing contractor of the Cebu City government was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly extorting money from a taxi driver whom he apprehended for multiple traffic violations last week.

Christian “Eman” Catoto, an enforcer of the City Traffic Operations Management assigned to the Road Warrior Towing Services, was arrested at about 1:30 p.m. yesterday in barangay Labangon shortly after a brief chase by NBI operatives.

Catoto, who claimed to be a former close-in bodyguard of Margot Osmeña before his deployment to CITOM, was accused of demanding P3,000 from taxi driver Jessie Rica in exchange for the latter’s license which he confiscated last Friday over several traffic infractions.

Rica however was able to haggle for P2,500.

Catoto and Rica agreed to meet in front of the Bank of the Philippine Islands along Natalio Bacalso Ave. for the payoff at noon yesterday. NBI operatives led by special investigator Florante Gaoiran strategically positioned themselves for the supposed entrapment operation but Catoto did not accept the marked money in the agreed location.

He ordered Rica instead to get on his motorcycle and the NBI operatives tailed them. According to Rica, he was brought to a nearby gasoline station where Catoto gave his license and demanded the P2,500 that they earlier agreed on.

However, Rica did not give the money thinking that the NBI operatives were not following them. Rica instead made an alibi that he only has P200 with him prompting Catoto to grab the license back.

The NBI operatives pursued Catoto on his way home to Bliss Compound, Labangon, until he was arrested. Recovered from him was the driver’s license of Rica.

Catoto, in an interview, denied demanding money from Rica though he could not explain why he failed to report the apprehension to the CITOM office. Catoto admitted he was wrong in not reporting the apprehension immediately but insisted he did not ask money from Rica.

According to Catoto, when he flagged down Rica’s Richielda Taxi at around 10 p.m. last Friday along Magallanes St. he asked for Rica’s license. However, he did not have with him his temporary operator’s permit then, so he told Rica to follow him to the CITOM office. But Rica allegedly did not follow.

NBI executive officer Ernesto Macabare said they are still evaluating what charges to file against Catoto, who is also the brother-in-law of former CITOM executive director Dennis Jabonero. — Fred P. Languido/BRP (THE FREEMAN)