Ex-cop, 2 others posing as policemen nabbed

MANILA -- A retired cop and his two companions are facing at least three criminal charges after posing as policemen in their recent robbery in Quezon City.

Chief Superintendent Mario Dela Vega, Quezon City Police District director, identified the former policeman as Jaime Albao, 54, who was accused of robbing Eleanor Parrocha, 31, a vendor.

Albao, along with co-accused Jay-R Baguise, 41, and Joseph Villamor, 22, were arrested by authorities on Wednesday.

Posing as policemen, the three suspects flagged down the jeepney boarded by Parrocha along Tandang Sora Avenue. They allegedly dragged her into their vehicle and asked the victim to give P24,000.

Parrocha however failed to produce the money and was instead forcibly robbed by the fake cops who took P600.

The suspects also allegedly molested the victim after forcing her to undress.

After she was set free, Parrocha sought the help of the authorities who caught up with the suspects' vehicle.

Among those recovered from the suspects were bladed weapons, a handgun, two police identification cards, a police badge and athletic uniform.

The suspects are now facing charges of robbery, acts of lasciviousness and usurpation of authority.

Just last week, seven men also pretending to be law enforcers were arrested in the same city.

The suspected police impersonators allegedly accosted and frisked two men and asked money from them in exchange for detention.

Dela Vega said such incidents are cases of "Hulidap" perpetrated by criminals posing as legitimate police officers.

He added that the arrest of fake cops "proves that not all allegedly police-related crimes are committed by policemen," which ruins the image of law enforcers.

Several policemen in Metro Manila were dismissed last month due to various offenses including extortion. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)