‘Kotong cops’ caught on camera

Two separate incidents of cops extorting money from drivers surfaced online over the weekend, drawing the ire of netizens.

In a video posted on Facebook by an account under the name Pepeng Hugotero, a traffic enforcer was caught on camera asking for P1,000 from a driver, after he was asked how much it would take to avoild getting a ticket.

"Ewan ko kung magkano kasi P2,000 hanggang P3,000 'yung kwan na 'yan, 'yung ticket na 'yan eh," the enforcer said.

The video also showed the enforcer saying that he would get a commission for every ticket he issues.

"Basta kapag nag-ticket kami may commission kami diyan..." he said, then he asked the driver to just give P1,000 for him not to issue any ticket.

According to a report on GMA's "24 Oras," the video drew negative reactions from netizens, both for the driver for asking how much it would take, and for the enforcer for accepting the money.

Meanwhile, in a separate video posted on an account named Pinoy Viral Videos, another traffic enforcer was seen haggling with a driver, even offering 50 percent off of the supposed violation.

"Ayan na, 50 percent na lang ha, kasi P1,000 'yun. Kung 50 percent ang makukuha namin, di na lang [namin] kukunin para makatulong nalang kami sa'yo," he said.

Sought for comment, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the local police officials where the incidents happened should be the ones to issue statements regarding the matter. It has yet to be established where both incidents happened.

The PNP said, however, that they are looking into the incidents and they will continue to monitor the areas. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News