Another ‘hulidap’ victim testifies vs. La Loma cops

Another victim of extortion by several policemen of La Loma Police Station in Quezon City surfaced to GMA News and identified Chief Inspector Joseph de Vera as the lead perpetrator of the crime.

 

In an interview aired on GMA News' “24 Oras” Wednesday evening, businessman “Allan” (not his real name) said it was several months ago when de Vera and two other police officers went to his house and invited him to the police station.

Allan said he was told he was the subject of a complaint regarding illegal drugs.

 

He said he initially refused to go with de Vera's group but the police officers threatened him.

 

“Ang sabi sa 'kin drugs daw po,” Allan said.

 

He said the three police officers were wearing civilian clothes during his supposed arrest.

 

Allan said that when he was already inside the police station, the police officers placed in from of him a bagful of shabu.

 

“Nilabas nila yung shabu, hiningan ako ng P200,000,” Allan said.

 

Allan said that because of fear of being jailed, he agreed to pay the said amount even though he repeatedly told the police officers that the shabu did not come from him.

 

“'Nung makuha nila yung pera pinakawalan na nila ako,” Allan said.

 

Allan said he did not file a complaint against de Vera's group due to fear that they might get back on him.

 

De Vera was the former deputy chief of La Loma Police Station.

 

“Ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob...para matigil na ang ganitong mga tiwaling gawain ng ilang pulis,” Allan said.

 

According to the group Metro Manila Muslim Community for Justice and Peace, Muslim businessmen were the common victims of La Loma police officers' extortion activities.

 

Members they monitored one to two incidents per month of extortion on Muslim businessmen by the “hulidap” policemen.

A hulidap happens when victims are supposedly arrested for a made-up crimes but are released after paying an amount asked from them.

 

“Hinaharang, pinapasok sa tindahan...inaabangan sa airport. Yung iba kahit walang kasalanan nagbabayad nalang sa takot na masira ang reputasyon,” said Datu Basher Alonto, chairman of the Muslim community organization.

 

Alonto said that aside from Allan, some businessman victimized by the police officers had already expressed willingness to testify against the accused police officers.

 

Aside from de Vera, other police officers allegedly involved in the extortion activities were Senior Insp. Oliver Villanueva, SPO1 Ramil Hachero, PO2 Weevin Mesa, PO2 Mark de Paz, PO2 Jerome Dainguinoo, PO2 Ebonn Decatoria, PO2 Jonathan Rodriguez and dismissed Senior Inspector Marco Polo Estrera

 

Photo of the group's operation went viral in social media last week.

 

The police officers, who are all assigned at the La Loma Police Station, are now facing charges of brigandage, or highway robbery, and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

 

However, only de Vera and Rodriguez were arrested by the PNP and are now under the custody of the Mandaluyong City Police. The seven others remain at large. —Elizabeth Marcelo/NB, GMA News