A warning to traffic enforcers

A traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was arrested Thursday in Pasig City for extorting P100 from a policeman posing as an ordinary van driver.

The suspect, Antonio Lopez, 50, of Solid compound, Baltazar street in Barangay Palatiw, Pasig City was caught in the act of receiving two P50 bills from PO2 Antonio Monegas of the Eastern Police District (EPD) intelligence and operations group.

Chief Superintendent Simeon Dizon Jr., EPD director, said the arrest of Lopez was part of his command’s intensified campaign against "kotong" cops and corrupt traffic enforcers.

"We hope that the arrest of Lopez would serve as a warning to policemen and other traffic enforcers who are behind rampant extortion cases against motorists," said Dizon.

Dizon said Monegas, onboard a Mitsubishi Carter Van, drove around the Pasig City area looking for mulcting traffic enforcers and policemen. Another team of police officers closely followed behind him on board an owner type jeep.

When Monegas reached the area of Ortigas and Rodriguez Avenue in Barangay Ugong, Lopez signaled him to stop after making an illegal U-turn at one corner.

"The traffic enforcer demanded that Monegas surrender his driver’s license. The cop instead offered P100 to the traffic enforcer and he took the bait," said Dizon.

Upon hearing Monegas’ offer, the traffic enforcer ordered the policeman to park his van a few meters from where he was flagged down. Lopez was receiving the P100 cash when arrested. He refused to give a written statement before police investigators. He is now detained at the Pasig detention cell and was charged with robbery-extortion. – Non Alquitran