9 arrested for extorting money from jeepney drivers in Quiapo-Manila route

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Nine people, including four women, were arrested for extorting money from jeepney drivers who ply the Quiapo-Manila route in an entrapment operation on Tuesday evening.

Senior Inspector Clark Cayug, chief of the District Police Intelligence Operation Unit in Manila, identified the suspects as:  Bernardino Pangilinan, 44, from Bulacan, the supposed leader of the group; RJ Marquez, 21, from Manila; Randy Igbuhay, 25; Teofilo Bugtong Jr., 46, and Ernesto Potente, 65, residents of Bulacan; Cristina Roxas, 44, Caloocan; Rosmarilyn Pangilinan, 23, Bulacan; Babylyn Cruz, 22; and Rosana dela Cruz, 52, residents of  Manila.

The operation stemmed from the complaint filed by four jeepney drivers, Bobeht Engallado, 36; Arvin Agravante, 42; Juanillo Lubaton, 41; and Trestan Agravante, 36, all residents of Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.

The complainants said everytime they went through Hidalgo Street, the group would ask for money from the jeepney drivers. When the drivers refused, the suspects would sometimes punch them, hit their jeeps with pipes and threaten them against coming back.

The suspects also had knives and guns, and one driver has been stabbed, the complaint said.

Police, together with a television crew, formed a team to entrap the suspects and prepared marked money. Posing as passengers, the police saw the suspects in the act of extorting and arrested them.

Extortion charges will be filed against the suspects who are currently detained at the Manila Police District.