‘Cop’ cons motorist out of cell phone

MANILA, Philippines - A 22-year-old man accused a “policeman” of stealing his cell phone worth P8,000 in Manila yesterday morning.

Mark Paul Cluterio told investigators at the Manila Police District’s general assignment section, he was smoking in his car, which he parked on Mendoza street in Sampaloc on Tuesday night, when a certain SPO2 Ramos told him that he violated the city’s smoking ban.

Ramos further claimed that the violation would cost him P35,000 because he was smoking in a car, a property considered by law as an extension of the owner’s house.

Fearful of going to jail, Cluterio asked Ramos what he could do to avoid arrest. After negotiations, the two agreed on a P1,000 bribe.

But the 22-year-old said he did not have the money with him so he asked the man to wait while he withdraws the money.

Ramos agreed, but demanded Cluterio’s cell phone as assurance that he would come back and pay.

Cluterio said he had just walked a few steps away from his car when he saw Ramos rev up his motorcycle and speed away, taking his cell phone with him.