SWAT nabs fake cop

Police nabbed yesterday afternoon in Sta. Cruz, Manila a suspected member of a robbery gang who reportedly preys on his victims by posing as an operative of the Western Police District (WPD).

Dressed in a blue T-shirt with "Manila Police" markings and a bullcap, with a pair of handcuffs sticking out of the back pocket of his pants, suspect Virgilio Sayaman, 26, jobless, of 417 Malvar street, Velasquez, Tondo even gave a hand salute to a patrolling Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team that passed by him at the northbound portion of Mac Arthur Bridge.

However, PO2 Ronnie Barrientos of the SWAT remembered the directive of WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong that no Manila policeman should wear police-marked blue T-shirts unless on a legitimate operation.

When confronted, the suspect initially introduced himself as an operative of the WPD’s District Police Intelligence Unit. However, his glazed look bore signs of having taken prohibited drugs which made the SWAT operatives more suspicious, Barrientos said.

He then frisked the suspect who yielded a toy gun.

Investigators said the suspect could be a member of the sought-after four-man group of robbers posing as police operatives. Their modus operandi is to "arrest" unsuspecting victims on trumped-up charges in exchange for cash or personal belongings.

Initial charges of usurpation of authority is now being readied against the suspect, who is now undergoing tactical interrogation at the police headquarters. – Nestor Etolle