3 fake traffic enforcers nabbed for extortion



Three men posing as traffic enforcers were arrested on Monday after an attempt to extort money from an actual agent of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB).



On Cesar Apolinario's report for "24 Oras," men wearing fake MTPB uniforms surrounded the SUV they apprehended. Just as they were coming to a negotiation with the driver on how he was going to evade his ticket, the real authorities arrived on the scene.



The suspects Jerome Miller, Mark Buzeta, and Regolio Balatbat were among nearly 700 traffic enforcers removed from the MTPB in 2016 over extortion complaints.



They were unaware that the SUV's driver, Armel Tacbad, was an MTPB traffic enforcer who had been tipped off by one of their victims.



Tacbad showed texts he received early Wednesday morning from a truck driver who asked for his help after being victimized by the fake enforcers along the stretch of San Marcelino street going to the Port of Manila.



"Isa po 'yun sa daanan ng mga truck papuntang South. Ngayon po, pinupuwestuhan nila para  makapangotong," Tacban said.

The suspects reportedly asked him for more than P5,000 to buy his way out of a ticket.

The group's paraphernalia used to issue fake tickets and the money they allegedly collected were recovered from their possession.

MTPB OIC Dennis Alcoreza said the traffic force has implemented stronger regulations to quell corruption among traffic enforcers.

"Magaan lang po 'yung kaso na fina-file natin, ngayon pong meron pong kaso na robbery-extortion, medyo mahihirapan na po sila," Alcoreza said.

Miller denied being directly involved in the operations, saying he was ordered to serve as an escort.

Meanwhile, all three suspects denied on the report that they were extorting money from motorists.

The three were detained for the same charges when they served as actual traffic enforcers.

Apart from robbery and extortion charges, the have also been charged with usurpation of authority.

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