ANGELES CITY -- Two policemen here are facing criminal and administrative charges after allegedly extorting P48,000 from an American tourist who reportedly committed a traffic violation.
Police Officer 2 Neil Gopilan and Police Officer 2 Teoderico Pelayo were relieved from Police Station 4 (Salakot Police Precinct) in connection with the complaint filed by the tourist, whose name has been withheld for security reasons.
Balibago barangay chairman Rodelio Mamac said the foreigner sought the help of village leaders in filing a formal complaint against the two cops.
“This guy is a tourist and loves our country, unfortunately, he was accosted by two police personnel of Station 4 for traffic violation. He knew that he did not violated any traffic rules and defended himself,” Mamac said.
The policemen allegedly handcuffed and arrested the tourist but he was not brought to the police station, said Mamac.
“He was surprised that he was not brought to the police station and instead drove around Balibago and demanding him to pay P50,000 for the settlement of alleged violations,” Mamac said.
The American national was forced to pay the cops P48,000 in exchange of his alleged offenses.
“Feeling helpless and afraid, against his will, he submitted himself to their demands and drove back to the Clark perimeter road in Barangay Anunas and withdrew from his bank account P48,000,” Mamac said.
After the alleged payoff, the policemen allowed the tourist to leave, according to the village chief.
Mamac said the tourist felt that he was “robbed and blackmailed” by the two cops.
“The victim then narrated his ordeal to the sister of his girlfriend, who advised him to see me to report the incident. I instructed Senior Inspector Dante Cabungcal to immediately conduct proper investigation to identify the police suspects,” Mamac said.
The tourist was elated with the assistance provided to him by the barangay leaders and Police Station 4.
Gopilan and Pelayo, who are now in the holding area of the city police, denied the accusations of the tourist. They also denied asking and accepting P48,000 from him.