A BARANGAY councilor and a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer were arrested yesterday for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and extortion in Laguna and Quezon City.
Councilor Henry Agonia Buenaflor, 53, was nabbed by operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and support units during a raid of his residence in Barangay Sta. Ana in San Pablo City, Laguna.
The operation, covered by a search warrant, was part of intensified Oplan Paglalansag Omega, the PNP’s campaign against loose firearms, according to CIDG Director Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee.
Seized during the operation were a cal. 45 pistol, a 9 mm pistol, 47 rounds of ammunition, four magazines, a firearm holster, two magazine pouches and a belt bag.
In Quezon City, MMDA traffic enforcer Raul Lapore, 53, was nabbed in the act of extorting from a truck driver and his helper on Congressional Avenue Extension in Barangay Pasong Tamo.
Investigation showed Lapore flagged down a trailer truck transporting a crane for alleged “oversize load” violation in the area. Onboard were truck driver Crislie Rife and helper Winston dela Cruz, of Valenzuela City and Caloocan City, respectively.
Police said Lapore demanded P500 in exchange for the non-issuance of a traffic violation ticket. The driver and the helper later convinced the suspect to lower the amount to P300.
“Patrolling police officers upon seeing the incident approached the traffic enforcer and the victims. The victims positively identified Lapore demanding money from them,” the Quezon City Police District said in a statement.
Lapore, currently under the custody of the QCPD-Station 14, faces a case for robbery-extortion.
Police said they had earlier received reports about the extortion activities of Lapore in the area.
