Suspect posing as a police officer who allegedly attempted to extort the driver of a lawmaker and seize a vehicle is presented at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 15 following his arrest in an entrapment operation on June 15. (Photo courtesy of QCPD)
A man who allegedly posed as a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer and attempted to seize a lawmaker’s vehicle was arrested in Quezon City on June 15 after an entrapment operation in Barangay Bahay Toro.
Police said the suspect introduced himself as “Master Sergeant Hernandez” and tried to extort the driver of Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Alexander Ty Pimentel by fabricating a traffic violation and insisting on impounding the lawmaker’s SUV along Congressional Avenue.
According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 15, the suspect’s modus involved flagging down motorists, inventing violations, and using intimidation with a replica firearm to coerce victims into surrendering vehicles or money.
He was wearing a tactical vest and riding a motorcycle without a plate when he stopped Pimentel’s driver, Fortunato Trazo, and accused him of beating a red light.
Trazo presented the vehicle’s OR/CR and his driver’s license, but the suspect refused to accept them and insisted on impounding the SUV.
Rep. Pimentel later learned of the incident and personally spoke to the suspect by phone. The suspect still demanded turnover of the vehicle despite clarification that the alleged violation was minor.
Alarmed, Pimentel threatened to report the matter to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
Police Lt. Col. Bryan Pajarillo confirmed the suspect was a former traffic personnel who had gone AWOL since April, making his actions unauthorized. He was arrested after a brief chase during the entrapment operation.
Charges of attempted carnapping and grave coercion were filed against him, though he denied the allegations.