Cop extorting from cop arrested

A police officer in Manila was arrested last Wednesday for extorting P100 from a motorist who turned out to be an off-duty policeman.

PO1 Romeo Flores, 34, allegedly flagged down a couple on board a motorcycle along Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate past 10 p.m., according to Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., chief of the Manila Police District’s General Assignment Section.

Flores told the driver, PO2 Henry Ligson, who was in plainclothes, that motorcycles were prohibited in the park.

Ligson, sensing that Flores crooked, chose not to introduce himself as a policeman. He and his wife instead asked for consideration. Flores insisted there was a violation and demanded P100 in exchange for their release.

Ligson paid the bribe and later reported Flores to Pedrozo, who then set up an entrapment operation that led to Flores’ arrest.

A tearful Flores was presented to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon during his visit to the MPD yesterday.

Calderon commended MPD acting director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa and Pedrozo for their efforts to clean up the police force. "Let this serve as a warning to all policemen to stop their illegal activity," Calderon said in a pep talk with MPD officers.

Director Reynaldo Varilla, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, said over 60 rogue policemen were dismissed from the service and 11 others demoted since October.

"We do not need these kind of policemen in service. There are many applicants for police waiting in line," Varilla said.

Calderon also hinted that Abarzosa may be formally designated as MPD chief, to the applause from officers. A reorganization of police district officials is scheduled next week, he said.