Two police sergeants assigned in Cavite, who allegedly collect P1.5 million every month from transport operators in Bacoor, landed in jail following an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
The two cops were identified as Police Senior Master Sgt. Joselito Bugay, assigned as intelligence officer of the Bacoor City Police Station; and Police Staff Sgt. Gregor Bautista, also assigned to the Bacoor City Police Station.
photo: CIDG
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. said the operation also resulted in the arrest of the cops’ alleged cohort identified as John Louie De Leon, adding that follow-up operation is now being conducted against the other suspect identified as Edralin Gawaran.
“These policemen gained notoriety for allegedly extorting money from transport groups in Bacoor City. These individuals stand accused of collecting monthly payments or payola from tricycle operators, driver’s associations, and other transport groups,” said Caramat, citing Facebook posts from some concerned netizens.
“It is estimated that they amass around P1.5 million per month, with an average of P170,000 per transport group,” he added.
Caramat disclosed that the modus of the two policemen is to threaten the transport groups of arrests and shut down of operations especially in terminals in order to compel them to pay the monthly payola.
photo: CIDG
The bold one
Caramat said they monitored the alleged illegal activities of the two cops in a viral Facebook post.
The alleged illegal activities of the two policemen was confirmed when a complainant sought the assistance of the CIDG after the two cops allegedly informed them that they will raise the monthly payola from P130,000 a month to P170,000.
When the complainant asked why, Bugay allegedly told him that they observed an increase in the volume of passengers going to their van terminal in Bacoor City.
Caramat said that when the complainant told Bugay that the amount is too big, the latter allegedly threatened to take over their terminal and will intercept all the members.
The complainant earlier said that they are remitting P65,000 every 15th and 30th day of the month.
This resulted in the conduct of operation at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday near a gasoline station on Molino Road.
The three suspects were arrested while Gawaran did not show up in the meeting place where the payola was supposed to be given.
photo: CIDG
Charges readied
Based on the revelation of the complainant, the two cops allegedly said that the monthly payola is intended for officials of the Bacoor Traffic Management department and other individuals.
They are now the subject of the investigation being conducted by the CIDG.
“Their reign of intimidation and threats against the drivers and transport leaders has now come to an end. Criminal complaints will be filed against them, including robbery and illegal possession of firearms,” said Caramat.
Using police car
In a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 20, Caramat said the two cops are using a police car in their illegal activities.
Seized from the suspects were three hand guns, several bullets, cellular phones and the marked money.
The operation was documented through a body-worn camera.