2 MPD cops held for forcing 4 women into cab

Two Manila policemen were arrested on Friday outside a shopping mall in Quezon City after accosting four women and forcing them into a taxi on allegations that they were shoplifters.

Case investigator SPO1 Eric Lazo said SPO1 Noel Dimaano, 51, and PO1 Louie Aban, 30, were placed under the custody of the Quezon City Police District.

They faced charges of unlawful arrest, grave coercion, grave threats and physical injuries based on the complaints filed by Jessica Arellano, 32; Marjorie Cunanan, 23; Camille Flores, 23; and Ronalyn Rosdol, 23.

Seized from Dimaano was a .25-cal. pistol. Lazo said the two officers were not in uniform when arrested by a QCPD patrol team and private security guards outside SM City North Edsa on Friday afternoon.

During questioning, Dimaano and Aban claimed that they were trying to arrest the four women for alleged shoplifting.

But according to the complaints, two of the four women arrested—Flores and Rosdol—were picked up by the suspects long after they had left the mall. Flores and Rosdol said they were walking on Ilocos Sur Street, Barangay Bago Bantay, at around 2:30 p.m. when a taxi cab suddenly stopped in front of them.

The two policemen got off the cab and allegedly forced them into the vehicle, accusing them of stealing from the mall.

The taxi then drove toward the mall, where the suspects then approached Cunanan and Arellano as they were waiting for a ride near the supermarket entrance.

Cunanan and Arellano fought back, causing a commotion which drew the attention of the mall guards and the QCPD patrol unit. Julie M. Aurelio