BIN member arrested for claiming to be a policeman

CEBU, Philippines -  A member of the Barangay Intelligence Network who was initially apprehended for a traffic violation was arrested for claiming to be a policeman, yesterday morning in Nasipit, Barangay Talamban.

Romeo Torres, Jr., 33, claimed to be working as a liaison officer at the same time collector of a company whose name he withheld for alleged security purposes.

Police investigation revealed that a team from the Land Transportation Office 7 was conducting a checkpoint along Nasipit when they flagged down Torres at past 8 am yesterday, for driving with the blinkers on, a violation to the no blinker policy implemented by President Benigno Aquino III.

Francisco Ouano of LTO-7 said Torres, a resident of Barangay Mabini, reportedly claimed to be a policeman but when they asked for his identification card, the suspect failed to show any and showed a police badge instead.

PO2 Rene Remedios of the Cebu City Public Safety Company of the Cebu City Police Office, who happened to pass by the area on his way to CCPO, approached after he was sought for assistance by LTO.

Remedios noticed the gun placed in a holster and tucked in Torres’ waistline, prompting the police to ask for his identification cards and gun license.

Torres failed to show any and was brought to the CCPO headquarters in Gorordo Avenue.

It turned out that Torres is a BIN member in Consolacion town, to which the suspect admitted.

Police confiscated Torres’ gun, with two magazines and 16 ammunition.

Supt. Carmelo Dayon, head of the CCPSC, said charges for illegal possession of firearms and usurpation of authority will be filed against the suspect who was placed behind bars after his arrest.

The suspect said he collects big sum of money that was why he brings a gun. –/MIT (FREEMAN)