6 posing as lawmen arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Five men and a woman were arrested by the Police Aviation Security Group at the Mactan Cebu International Airport last Wednesday afternoon after they posed as lawmen but failed to present permits to allow them to carry guns.

MCIA authorities identified those arrested as Joeribe Commendador, Julia Etorma, Edwin Adolacion, Genaro Estoque, Tirso Peñaflor and Picondo Asotigue.

Etorma, Estoque, Adolacion and Peñaflor were wearing black uniforms with INTERPOLCOM patches on them.

Chief Insp. Julius Cabahug of the PNP Police Center for Aviation Security station at the MCIA said that the suspects showed up at the airport and asked for temporary access passes.

However, when they were asked for the necessary documents, they failed to present any.

Police also confiscated five .45 cal. pistols from the suspects.

While the guns were licensed, those arrested did not have any Permit to Carry Firearms outside Residence.

Also confiscated from the suspects were four military IDs and letter orders with unauthorized signatures.

During investigation, they said they were members of the International Police Commission, allegedly an NGO, tasked to do “intelligence work” at the airport.

Later in detention, Commendador told The FREEMAN that their purpose in visiting the MCIA was to coordinate with them.

According to Commendador, their group is based in Los Baños, Laguna.

They are presently detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail awaiting the filing of charges against them.

While there is an actual International Police Commission based in Sacramento, California, it lists its jurisdiction exclusively in the United States.— BRP (FREEMAN)