JOINT operations of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Intelligence and Investigation Office (IIO) have arrested a 36-year-old for allegedly extorting money while posing as MMDA personnel.
The suspect, identified as Jacob Arellano, a resident of Antipolo Rizal, was arrested during an entrapment operation led by joint operatives of the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit and MMDA IIO on May 17 in Cubao, Quezon City.
The operation stemmed from the complaint of a terminal operator of UV Express vans who reported about Arellano’s illegal activities.
Based on a police report, a commuter van stationed at the complainant’s terminal was impounded for colorum operations on April 27 and was brought to the MMDA Tumana impounding site in Marikina City.
Arellano called the complainant and claimed to be working under the MMDA Office of the General Manager.
According to the complainant, Arellano told her that she needed to pay P15,000 per month in order to prevent UV Express vans under her responsibility from being apprehended. P7,500 was to be given in payment on the 15th and at the end of each month, respectively.
The complainant met Arellano on April 30 at Arayat, Cubao, Quezon City, and gave him the P7,500 he demanded.
On May 15, Arellano called the complainant and reminded her about the P7,500 payment. He referred to it as “SOP,” and he threatened her that all their vans would be impounded if she would discontinue giving the “SOP” payments.
On May 16, they met again and she handed him the P7,500. However, Arellano asked for another P15,000 for the release of the previously impounded van.
The complainant sought assistance from the MMDA IIO, which reported the incident to General Manager Usec. Procopio Lipana. In response, Usec. Lipana ordered the IIO to coordinate with the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit to plan an entrapment operation.
On May 17, an operation was carried out in Quezon City. The suspect was apprehended while in the act of receiving the marked money from the complainant.
“Upon receipt of information, we immediately verified if Arellano is listed under the MMDA roster of employees and coordinated with the authorities,” said Lipana. The MMDA Administrative Service issued a certification that Arellano is not an MMDA personnel.
Meanwhile, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes warned the public against unscrupulous individuals posing as MMDA employees to extort money.
“Wrongdoings like”kotong ” or”payola ” will never be tolerated. We call on the public to be on the lookout for these dubious people and report suspected illegal transactions. We will not let anyone tarnish the image of the Authority,” said Atty. Artes.
Artes said he will not condone any illegal activities detrimental to the agency, whether done by ordinary citizen or MMDA employee.
Meanwhile, Lipana also urged people who have been victimized by Arellano to report his illegal activities to the agency.
Arellano is currently detained at CIDU QCPD, Camp Karingal, Quezon City. Charges of robbery (extortion) and usurpation of authority were filed against him.
