6 Manila cops deny extort raps filed by Japanese national

The six Manila policemen who were relieved from their posts over alleged extortion activities said yesterday they were "victims of trial by publicity."

SPO2 Joselito de la Cruz, SPO2 Alfredo Ruz, PO3 Vicente Noriega, PO3 Teofilo Biong, PO3 Alfredo Pacoma and PO2 Jaime Salonga, all members of the Manila Police District’s DPIU (District Police Intelligence Unit), are now the subject of an investigation to ascertain their administrative liabilities over the incident.

The policemen came under fire after one Kazuaki Tomizawa, 46, a Tokyo resident temporarily staying in Makati City, alleged in his complaint before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) that he was abducted by six Manila policemen last Aug. 18 and was released only after agreeing to pay P500,000.

The complainant said he was locked up at the MPD’s Theft and Robbery Section until he made the initial payment of P300,000. The second payment of P200,000 was allegedly paid to Noriega’s group on Aug. 23 by a friend of the victim.

The six policemen denied the extortion charges.

"We accept our fate of being relieved, but we also want to clear our name against the allegations which brought shame to our respective families," said De la Cruz, who is the highest ranking officer among the six.

Noriega said two women came to their office and complained about Tomizawa and three others over illegal recruitment activities. Noriega said their operation was covered by a pre-operation report and was properly coordinated with the Southern Police District.

He also presented the DPIU’s official blotter showing that lawyers Meneleo Jose Luna III and Michael Ulic personally assisting the Japanese during investigation.

"It would have been highly incredible that we extorted the Japanese in the presence of his lawyers," the policemen said.

Several friends of the Japanese, including one PO3 Devillar of the MPD’s mobile patrol division and one NBI agent surnamed Halili, came to intervene, they added.

The policemen filed illegal recruitment charges against the Japanese and three others.

"We are not rogue policemen and we are just fulfilling the task given to us by our superior," the group said.

At the same time, Noriega clarified that he is not the same Noriega of the defunct Presidential Anti-Illegal Recruitment Task Force who was sacked for involvement in illegal activities. "That Noriega, who is now in jail, is named Romy. There are several Noriegas in the police force," he explained.