Pics in iPad2 to pin down 18 cops

MANILA, Philippines - An iPad2 will likely prove the guilt of 18 policemen tagged in the alleged P500,000 shakedown of six Koreans in Muntinlupa City last July 12.

Police records showed that the Apple iPad2 was among the P739,000 worth of gadgets and personal belongings stolen by policemen from the Regional Police Intelligence and Operating Unit (RPIOU) who raided the rented house of the Koreans at 536 Country Club Drive in Ayala Alabang Village.

It turned out that PO3 Benjie de Villa was in possession of the iPad2. He was one of the policemen charged with robbery with intimidation and arbitrary detention before the Department of Justice last Thursday by Young Suk Lee, 22; Sang Don Lee, 32; and Jung Hun Yang, 29.

Apparently not aware of how her husband got hold of the iPad2, De Villa’s wife used it to take pictures of her family members.

Unknown to De Villa, the iPad2 was registered in the account of one of the Koreans in their stock trading online business so all the pictures taken by his wife automatically showed in the owner’s account.

Using a cell phone, the Koreans presented the pictures to Chief Superintendent Pat Hernandez, deputy chief for administration of the National Capital Region Police Office on July 15.

When Hernandez summoned De Villa, he admitted that the iPad2 was among the items he and his group seized when they raided the Koreans’ residence.

Accompanied by lawyer Judith Quirejero, De Villa returned the iPad2 to Sang last Aug. 9.

The Koreans will present the pictures as evidence against the police officers during the preliminary hearing of the case.

“The return of the iPad2 is tantamount to an admission of guilt. The Koreans have a strong case against the 18 RPIOU policemen,” a police official said.

The Koreans said the police officers arrived at their house on Country Club Drive at around 10:30 p.m. and accused them of engaging in cybercrimes. They were detained at the RPIOU headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa.

They added that one of the raiders, SPO1 Robert Vecida, demanded P3 million in exchange for their release. But the amount was later reduced to P500,000.

The money was allegedly handed over to PO3 Rodencio Cruz.

Before they were released, Young said she asked Vecida to return her iPhone5, two Samsung S3, an iPad2 and personal items like panties and bras. But Vecida refused. 

Young said the policeman threatened to return the P500,000 and pursue the filing of charges against them.

Young also asked PO1 Rubelyn Opelac to return her Ivory white Louis Vuitton bag where the latter placed some of their gadgets. But Opelac denied taking the items.

The Koreans identified the RPIOU raiders through their personal data sheet.

SPO1 Jose Bernardino Jr. was not among the raiders. But the Koreans included him in the charge sheet after he was seen talking to RPIOU team leader Chief Inspector Redentor Agcio during negotiations for their release.

When confronted by Sang and Jung, De Villa tagged Bernardino as the one who allegedly masterminded the “trumped-up” police operation.

The Koreans also charged Inspector Russelito Sabado; SPO4s Romeo Domondon and Danilo Fame; SPO1s Alejandro Sanchez, Robert Olave, Nestor Padilla, Guillermo Duedor, and Romencio Loverez; PO3s Fielden Repollo, Esperanza Rioja and Brando Bautista and PO2 James Lagasca.