Saudi complaint vs Manila, Makati ‘kotong’ cops bared

The Saudi Arabian Embassy has complained about the alleged extortion activities by members of the Manila and Makati City police who victimize Saudi tourists, according to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

The former President on Friday said he learned about the complaint—also conveyed by the embassy in a Jan. 8 letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs—when Saudi Arabian Amb. Abdullah Al Hassan recently paid him a courtesy call.

The letter, copies of which were given to City Hall reporters, said “the common modus operandi of the suspected perpetrators of these extortion acts is to prey on tourists in trouble or in dire circumstances.”

The embassy cited alleged extortion activities involving members of the Manila Police District’s Precinct 5 in Malate and also the Makati police, particularly those from Substation 6 on Burgos Street (a nightspot area) and from headquarters.

The latest incident involved policemen in Malate who arrested Saudi nationals Mustafa Abdullah Al-Shanquity and Fuad Abdullah Almohsin over “spurious criminal accusations” and asked the foreigners for money in exchange for their release, it added.

Estrada said the embassy had identified the four MPD members involved, who were placed under investigation.

“I asked Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz (chief of the MPD directorial staff) and the investigators to coordinate with the embassy,” he said. “We have to act immediately and protect our tourists. If the police are doing these things, the tourists will stop coming here.” Erika Sauler