OPERATIVES of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group arrested a traffic policemen for alleged extortion in Zamboanga City last Friday, it was reported Sunday.
IMEG chief Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee identified the cop as Staff Sgt. Roberto Francisco, who is detailed with Station 10 of the Zamboanga City Police Office.
Lee said Francisco was apprehended at around 2:30 p.m. on Friday in Sitio Agrarian in Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga City based on the complaint of a “habal-habal” (modified motorcycle) driver.
Lee said Francisco “has been (the) subject of several complaints on his extortion activities targeting mostly habal-habal drivers as well as those individuals who do not have quarantine pass(es).”
On March 29, Francisco reportedly impounded the motorcycle of the complainant for an unspecified violation. The driver was not given a citation ticket and the incident was not recorded on the police blotter.
Francisco allegedly demanded two fighting cocks from the complainant in exchange for the release of the motorcycle. He later changed his demand to P3,000 because the driver has no available fighting cocks.
On July 30, when Francisco lowered his demand to P1,500, the complainant sought the assistance of the PNP, leading to an entrapment operation.
