4 cops in trouble for extortion

Four members of the Western Police District are now in hot water for allegedly extorting money from an employee of the Manila Standard Sunday. Chief Inspector Arturo Paglinawan, head of the WPD-GAS identified the four as SPO2 Florentino Camacho, SPO1 Elmer Bombase, PO1 Ariel Cagata and PO2 Lamberto Deala, all assigned to the Paco police community precinct (PCP).

Paglinawan said the four might be charged with administrative and criminal charges for harassing Giovanni Yazon, 23, last Sunday.

Yason said it was Cagata, who pressured him to admit being a callboy, while a policeman in civilian clothes advised him to give P1,000 for his freedom. Another policeman also in civilian clothes told him to give P600.

The complainant said he was waiting ffor a ride when Cagata alighted from an owner-type jeep and approached him. He said that Cagata, who was in complete police uniform, forced him to board the jeep and brought him to the Paco PCP where Yazon was searched. After getting the money from him, police released Yazon along with two other callboys, while three other callboys were left behind.

Initial investigation conducted by SPO2 Mario Salonga revealed that the policeman with nameplate bearing Cagata refers to PO1 Ariel Cagata of the Paco PCP-Station 5. – Cecille Suerte Felipe