Lawyer files raps vs abusive escort cop

Charges of grave coercion, grave threats and abuse of authority were filed yesterday against one of the police escorts of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Charged at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office was PO3 Orlando Masaquel.

In a two-page complaint-affidavit, lawyer Silverio Garing said he filed the case in connection with a traffic incident last Dec. 17. At around 8:30 p.m., the lawyer was cruising on Boni Serrano Avenue, Quezon City, when he heard sirens from the opposite direction.

Garing said the convoy was using the opposite lane, with escort vehicles signaling motorists to give way.

When one of the vehicles, an L-300 van, passed Garing’s car, Masaquel shouted at him: "Tumabi ka!"

The lawyer shot back, saying there was no more room for his vehicle to do so.

Moments later, the L-300 tailed Garing, who was forced to stop his car at the corner of 7th Avenue.

The four occupants of the L-300, including Masaquel, surrounded him, accused him of "reckless driving" and demanded his driver’s license.

When Garing sought an explanation, Masaquel allegedly turned nastier.

"He even threatened me while holding his service firearm. He shouted at me though I committed a crime. His companions were trying to restrain him but PO3 Masaquel became even more arrogant," the complainant said in his affidavit.

He was forced to surrender his license and was issued a traffic violation receipt. – Pia Lee-Brago