Traffic enforcer nabbed for robbery-extortion

MANILA, Philippines – Manila policemen have busted an extortion syndicate reportedly perpetrated by some traffic enforcers of the Metro Manila Development Authority with the arrest of one of the suspects in an entrapment operation yesterday in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The suspect, Ricky Pitero, 35, a casual traffic enforcer of the MMDA, was arrested by the police after receiving the P3,000 marked money from his victim, taxi driver Anatolio Calderon Jr.

According to Superintendent Ernesto Fojas Jr., intelligence chief of the Manila Police District, Calderon sought police assistance after he sensed the extortion motive of MMDA traffic enforcers who had accosted him.

Calderon said he was driving his taxi (PXX-441) on April 19 when he was flagged down by several MMDA traffic enforcers at around 4:30 p.m. at the corner of Vito Cruz and Roxas Boulevard for alleged traffic violation.

Calderon said a certain “Jason David,” who was then wearing an MMDA uniform, asked for his driver’s license and the taxi’s registration papers. At the same time, another MMDA enforcer was already removing the plates of his taxi. He was then told to come to the MMDA-Manila Traffic Sector office at the corner of Valencia and Ramon Magsaysay and bring P3,000 to retrieve his license and the plates of his taxi.

Fojas directed Senior Inspector Ronald Andres, chief of the Integrity Task Force, to set up an entrapment operation together with a television crew who took video footages of the entrapment.

“The syndicate employs casual employees, like Pitero who acts as its collector, in its nefarious activities. The job contract of Pitero with the MMDA can be terminated anytime,” Fojas said.