Manila cop faces unlawful arrest, robbery extortion, 2 other charges

One of Manila’s finest finds himself facing charges of robbery extortion and three other cases after trying to detain a call center agent in Sta. Mesa for “grave misconduct.”

PO1 Sunny Mercado will face charges of unlawful arrest, grave threat, arbitrary detention, and robbery thru extortion after detaining 34-year-old Michael Belle Dupio, a call center agent from Makati City, on Aug. 5 at 3 a.m. near a convenience store in Old Sta. Mesa Street.

According to Dupio’s sworn statement, he and his friend had just stepped out of a hotel when Mercado and his accomplice, Jesmer Corpuz, approached them and asked what was in his bag.

After Dupio showed the contents of his bag, Mercado told him that he faced “grave misconduct” and had to come with them. Leaving his friend behind, the victim was brought to the Sta. Mesa Police Station.

Once at the station, Mercado asked Dupio to give him P30,000 in exchange for his freedom. The victim sought help from his friend who transferred money online that same morning.

After receiving a text message from his friend, Dupio and Mercado stepped out to look for a money transfer outlet to get the cash. Their search led them to a Western Union branch in Pasay City.

At this point, Mercado asked Corpuz to go with the victim and get the money. With the cash in hand, they hailed a cab for Dupio and sent him home.

The victim later sought help from a Radyo Singko program and, following the show’s recommendation, filed a complaint at Manila Police District’s General Assignment Investigation Section. Andronico del Rosario