2 Manila cops face extortion raps

MANILA, Philippines - Two of three Manila policemen accused by a Korean tourist of extortion were charged before the prosecutor’s office yesterday.

Police Officers 1 Benedict Allan Prado and Arnel Paragas, detailed at a police outpost in Malate, now face charges of robbery-extortion, arbitrary detention, grave threat and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Kim Seiwon, 29, failed to identify the third policeman who allegedly arrested him for smoking in a public place in Malate, Manila Tuesday afternoon.

Kim told Senior Inspector Ramon Meneses, deputy chief of the Manila Police District (MPD) general assignment section, that he was waiting for a Filipino friend when a rig driver approached him and asked for a cigarette. The three policemen arrested him after he lit the cigarette and brought him to the nearby police outpost. They reportedly demanded demanded P5,000 in exchange for his release.

Kim said he was compelled to withdraw the money at a nearby automated teller machine, escorted by the rig driver. He said he returned to the police outpost and gave the money to Prado in full view of the two other policemen and the rig driver.

Kim related his experience to his Filipino friend, who accompanied him to the MPD to file his complaint. He believes the unidentified rig driver connived with the three policemen to trap tourists into violating the city’s anti-smoking ban.