Arrested were Freddie Aguilar and Abellardo Gallano, who were directing traffic along Katipunan Avenue, for asking P500 from Bernardo Baon, 32, truck driver, of San Vicente, Tarlac.
Investigation showed Aguilar and Gallano apprehended Baon along C.P. Garcia Avenue, near the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City at around 9 p.m. after the two traffic enforcers spotted him not wearing a seatbelt while driving the vehicle.
The two asked for P500 from Baon so that he would not be charged with violation of the Seatbelt Law but the victim had only P200 in his wallet.
The victim saw a police mobile crew, from CPD-Anonas Police Station, patrolling C.P. Garcia Avenue and ran to the patrol car to seek help.
Police Officer 3 Elueterio Lucaban, officer-on-case, said the lawmen arrested the traffic enforcers for extortion. The suspects are now detained at the Anonas Police Station.
Meanwhile, two alleged members of a holdup gang responsible for the death of a robbery victim was arrested during a raid at a squatters’ area in Quezon City the other day.
Arrested were Dominador Evangelio, 25, single, driver, of Barangay Sauyo, and Petronillo Demecillo, 33, married, driver, of Area IV, Lupang Pangarap, Phase IV, Barangay Payatas, both in Quezon City.
Operatives of the Central Police District-District Police Intelligence Unit (DPIU), under Chief Inspector Anthony Rodolfo, conducted the raid and arrested the suspects at Sitio Veteran, Area V, Bagong Silang, Quezon City.
The raid was conducted after police received information about the presence of the suspects at Bagong Silangan.
Rodolfo said the two, who use a motorcycle in preying on their victims, were tagged as responsible for a series of robberies on money changers and bank depositors.
Witnesses positively identified the duo as the ones who held up and shot dead Isais Pidong last Saturday when the latter refused to give up his valuables.
DPIU raiding elements also seized two fully-loaded cal. 38 revolvers and a black Honda motorcycle bearing plate number NN-6239 believed to be used in the duo’s capers.
CPD Chief Superintendent Victor Luga commended the anti-robbery team and ordered the issuance of medals to the six-man raiding team. – Pia Lee-Brago