7 Manila cops face raps for extortion

Criminal charges were filed yesterday against seven members of the Manila Police District (MPD) who allegedly extorted money from vendors.

On orders of Mayor Joseph Estrada, MPD director Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel said they filed a complaint for extortion and graft against the suspects before the city prosecutor’s office.

The respondents are Senior Police Officers 2 Marvin Velasquez and Rommel Alfaro, PO3 Leo de Jose, PO3 John John David, PO2 Romeo Rosini, PO1 Ronie Boy Alonzo and PO1 James Paul Cruz. They were assigned with the MPD Station 5.

“They have been relieved from their posts and transferred to the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) headquarters,” Coronel said.

He said the charges of grave misconduct against the policemen are being heard by the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service at Camp Crame.

“They would undergo summary dismissal proceedings,” Coronel said.

Last month, vendors from Ermita, Kalaw street, Recto Avenue and Pedro Gil street staged a rally in front of the MPD headquarters to denounce the alleged extortion activities of the Ermita-based policemen.

The complainants belong to the United Vendors Alliance and Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap.

During their dialogue with Estrada, the vendors said the police officers had been extorting P100 to 200 from them daily.