Customs cops tagged in extort try now off the hook?

Two Customs policemen may get off lightly from their alleged attempt to extort money from 17 Japanese university students who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II last Nov. 1.

Carlos "Ding" So, Bureau of Customs-NAIA District Collector, said the absence of a formal complaint against the policemen would prevent an investigation into the incident, and reduce it to a mere hearsay.

"I haven’t received any report on the matter," So told The STAR in a chance interview at the NAIA Terminal II when the Customs official showed up for the arrival of President Arroyo from Hong Kong Friday night.

With the absence of a report from his men at the NAIA Terminal II, So expressed doubt that the incident even took place.

"I cannot comment or act on it because there is no complaint that reached my office," he said.

On Nov. 1, a British professor from the University of Meiji Gakuin, Professor Tom Gill, complained that two Customs policemen tried to collect Y1,000 each from 17 Japanses students who arrived with him in Manila via Philippine Airlines flight PR 431 for a two-week study tour in the Philippines.

Gill reportedly left his students momentarily at the arrival area of NAIA Terminal II to look for fellow University of Meiji Gakuin teacher, a Filipino named Rey Ventura, at the waiting area outside the terminal.

When he returned to his students, he learned that Customs policemen, who were later identified as Joal Vargas and Danny Pebeanco, approached them and allegedly asked for the money as "airport fee."

Joselito Franco, NAIA Terminal II Customs police officer-in-charge, had reportedly berated the duo upon learning of the extortion try.

Franco said he had already informed his superior, Major Elpido Manuel, Bureau of Customs-NAIA police chief, of the incident and the latter had ordered Vargas and Pebeanco relieved from their post.

Franco told The STAR that Vargas and Pebeanco will be penalized further, aside from being relieved from their airport assignment as a result of the incident.