3 MPD cops charged for 'hulidap'

MANILA, Philippines - Three policemen from the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 9 are facing robbery-extortion charges after allegedly arresting and illegally detaining a man for two days.

John Patrick Adrid, 30, went to the MPD-General Assignment Section yesterday to file arbitrary detention, robbery-extortion and unlawful arrest charges against Police Officer 1 Daniel Miram, PO1 Raymundo Sabino and another still unidentified policeman, who he said committed “hulidap,” arresting him on false charges and demanding money for his release.

Adrid told The STAR he and a nephew went to the house of his partner on Leveriza street, Pasay City Friday afternoon to fetch his two-year-old daughter, who was living with his partner’s parents.

He said since his daughter was still asleep, he decided to go home. As he was crossing Quirino Avenue, three policemen on two motorcycles apprehended him for allegedly buying shabu.

Adrid said he was manhandled, handcuffed and jailed at Station 9 without charges filed against him. The policemen told him and his family to produce P120,000, reportedly for his “bail,” he alleged.

Adrid said his family haggled with the policemen and managed to lower the amount to P15,000, but they were unable to come up with the money.

He said his family gave him P2,000 when they visited him on Saturday, which the policemen took from him before releasing him before dawn Sunday.

Police Officer 3 Adonis Aguila checked with Station 9 and was told there was no record of Adrid’s arrest. Aguila said this is a clear case of “hulidap” that is a favorite modus operandi of rogue police officers.

He said Miram and Sabino are with the station’s mobile unit and were not supposed to arrest Adrid without following proper procedure. The STAR tried to contact Miram and Sabino but they were unavailable for comment.