Ex-cop preying on Manila tourists strikes again

MANILA, Philippines - A dismissed Manila Police District (MPD) policeman said to be preying on tourists in the districts of Ermita and Malate in Manila struck anew Saturday morning, this time robbing a Kuwaiti tourist.

Businessman Kassem Ghobris, 39, filed a complaint with the MPD’s general assignment section Saturday afternoon. He told investigators that he was robbed by three men wearing police uniforms at the corner of Remedios and M.H. del Pilar streets in Malate at around 10:30 a.m. that day.

Ghobris identified Reggie Dominguez, who held the rank of Police Officer 1, as one of the men who robbed him of an unspecified amount of money, Senior Police Officer 1 James Pozo said.

Dominguez’s last assignment was with the MPD Station 9, which covers the Ermita area, before he was dismissed in 2012 over charges of robbery and usurpation of authority, police said.

Dominguez was also accused by a Japanese tourist, Yamuo Nabazaki, 74, of robbing him last Tuesday. According to Nabazaki, he was drinking beer outside a convenience store in Malate when Dominguez accosted him at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, for alleged illegally drinking on the street.

Dominguez allegedly forced Nabazaki to board his Toyota Revo (XLX-636) and robbed him of P6,000 and 30,000 yen.

Dominguez, who has a pending warrant for robbery and illegal possession of firearms, was also charged with robbery with homicide in February for allegedly shooting a Filipino man after taking his gold bracelet in Paco last year.

Tthe MPD – particularly Station 9, which covers the Malate and Ermita districts – has failed to apprehend Dominguez despite the spate of robberies attributed to him.

On July 1, 2013, Dominguez, his cousin and another suspected robber were presented to Mayor Joseph Estrada during his first day in office.

Dominguez and his cousin had been arrested in Malate for violating the helmet law, driving without a license and illegal possession of firearms.