January 6, 2002, The Philippine Star, 7 Policemen Robbed an OFW Close to P100,000, by Non Alquitran,

January 6, 2002, The Philippine Star, 7 Policemen Robbed an OFW Close to P100,000, by Non Alquitran,

Caloocan City, January 6, 2002 (STAR) Metro Manila police chief Director Edgar Aglipay ordered yesterday the holding of dismissal proceedings against seven Caloocan City policemen who allegedly robbed an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) of close to P100,000 after greeting her a Merry Christmas last Dec. 28.

Reports reaching Aglipay showed that the greeting was used by the policemen to sneak into the house of the victim, Lina Guiang, 24, at B-1, L 11, Tierra Nova, Royak 2, Bagumbong, Caloocan City.

The suspects were identified as PO3 Jose Martirez, 43; PO1 Ronaldo Hernaez, PO3 Joselito Andres, PO1 Roy Fedellaga, PO1 Ralph Ramos, PO3 Domindor Tolentino, all from the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and PO3 Nelson Jaway of Sub-Station 4 Urduja police station. Only Martirez is in police custody. "I want them sacked from the police service so their case would prevent others from following their bad habits," said Aglipay.

Investigation showed that a police informer, a certain Vilma who was clutching a two-month old daughter, appeared at Guiang’s doorstep last Dec. 28 and greeted her a Merry Christmas.

When the victim opened the door for Vilma and another visitor, Marcelino Mananquil alias Bagyo, the policemen barged in, introduced themselves as cops and handcuffed them.

The raiders, who were not armed with a warrant, conducted a thorough search of her house and carted away Guiang’s Nokia 5110 cellphone, a Gucci lady’s watch worth P24,000, another lady’s watch worth P8,000, a ring worth P2,000, a bottle of perfume and 10,000 Japanese Yen. The suspects, headed by Martirez also confiscated Mananquil’s Mica blue Toyota Corola GLI (plate number TGE 180).

Guiang and her companions were brought to the Urduja police station where the suspects demanded P50,000 for their liberty. The amount, however, was lowered to P5,000 and Guiang agreed to produce the money in two days.

The victim and her companions were then freed. – Non Alquitran