Cop, ally arrested for extort try on vintage car owner

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman and his cohort were arrested and recovered five vehicles yesterday in an entrapment operation while they were allegedly trying to extort money from an owner of a vintage car they impounded in Mandaluyong City.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested PO3 Arthur Macapagal of the Mandaluyong Police-Special Anti-Illegal Drugs Unit and his companion Duane Manuel.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Nilo dela Cruz said the arrest stemmed from the complaint of Enrique Casal that Macapagal and some Mandaluyong policemen have been repeatedly texting him and demanding P250,000 for the release of his ’67 Ford Mustang car. According to Casal, the policemen arrested him on March 20 for no apparent reason and later accused him of illegal possession of drugs. Dela Cruz said the first entrapment operation was scheduled on March 24 but the policeman and his companions did not show up.

On March 30, police said the second entrapment operation was set and resulted in the arrest of the two and recovery of the Mustang car.

Raiders led by Superintendent Jonnel Estomo and Senior Inspector Rommel Macatlang also seized Macapagal’s .9mm with 20 live ammunition, six pieces of P1,000 with ultra violet powder, a Mitsubishi Pajero van, 140 grams of shabu, P50,000 cash, a .45 caliber with 23 bullets, and a 22 caliber with four rounds live ammunition.

During interrogation, Manuel pointed to three other cars in his motor shop, which he claimed were entrusted to him by the police officer. Operatives also searched the premises and found undetermined amount of marijuana, and four rounds of ammunition for .45 caliber inside a parked Toyota Altis; and five grams of shabu in plastic sachet inside a Honda SIR. Police also found a Honda Civic containing marijuana leaves and bullets.

Police also recovered from the shop a BMW Sedan, a Honda Civic, a big bike and two scooters. Macapagal has yet to give his side.

Moreover, Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales ordered disbanded yesterday the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) of the Mandaluyong City police following the arrest of one of its members for alleged extortion and shabu possession.

Rosales directed Senior Superintendent Carlos de Sagun to replace the entire AIDSOTF and rigidly screen applicants to prevent another embarrassment caused by the arrest of Macapagal.

“I’ve ordered an investigation of the incident so summary dismissal proceedings would be initiated against PO3 Macapagal. We will not allow bad eggs to remain in the police service,” said Rosales. – With Non Alquitran