A man who allegedly posed as an employee of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to mulct money from a UV Express operator was apprehended during an entrapment operation in Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday, May 17.
(Courtesy of MMDA)
The MMDA identified the suspect as Jacob Arellano, 31, of Antipolo, Rizal.
The operation stemmed from the complaint of a female terminal operator of UV Express vans who reported about Arellano's alleged illegal activities. The identity of the operator was withheld for security purposes.
According to a police report, a commuter van stationed at the complainant's terminal was impounded for colorum operations last April 27, and eventually brought to MMDA Tumana impounding site in Marikina City.
Arellano then called the terminal operator and introduced himself as a personnel of the MMDA to tell her that she needs to pay him P15,000 per month – P7,500 each on the 15th and at the end of every month – so that all the other vans under her supervision would not be impounded, the report said.
The MMDA said that the first payment was made on April 30 when the two met in Arayat, Cubao, Quezon City.
Arellano then called the complainant on May 15 to demand the remaining P7,500, referring to it as an "SOP" and threatening her that all her vans would be impounded if she would not give the balance, the MMDA said.
The second payment was made on May 16 but Arellano again asked for an additional P15,000 for the release of the previously impounded van, the MMDA stated.
That was when the complainant sought help from the MMDA which immediately arranged an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of the suspect on the following day.
"He was apprehended after accepting the marked money from the operator," the MMDA said.
Acting MMDA Chairman Don Artes issued a warning to the public about unscrupulous people who pose as MMDA workers in order 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," he said.
The MMDA General Manager said he will not condone any illegal activities detrimental to the agency, whether done by ordinary citizen or MMDA employee.
The MMDA said that the suspect faces charges for robbery-extortion and usurpation of authority.