QC cop, cohort held for P500 extort try

MANILA, Philippines—A policeman and his civilian cohort were arrested for allegedly trying to extort P500 from a motorist earlier this week in Quezon City.

PO1 Ruel Menina, 41, of the Galas police station and his companion, Louie Verian, 57, were apprehended by members of the Batasan police station Thursday night in front of the Department of Social Welfare and Development complex on IBP Road, Batasan Hills.

Supt. Ramon Pranada said a 20-year-old motorist, Ralph Edison, complained that the suspects demanded P500 for the release of the license plate they took from his motorcycle.

Edison was driving his motorcycle on Commonwealth Avenue when the suspects flagged him down around noon Wednesday for not wearing a helmet.

According to Pranada, Menina is neither a traffic officer nor a member of the Batasan station which has jurisdiction over Commonwealth.