Fake cop nabbed after extortion try on two motorists, including a congressman's driver

A man posing as a police officer has been arrested for his alleged extortion scheme after he attempted to target two motorists, including the driver of a lawmaker.

According to Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, a person who introduced himself as "Police Master Sergeant Hernandez" flagged a black SUV in the evening of June 2, 2026. The "police officer" claimed that the vehicle tried to beat the red light.

Although the driver was okay to be issued a ticket, the fake police officer insisted that the vehicle had to be impounded. The driver handed the phone to his employer, Surigao del Sur Second District Rep. Alexander Ty Pimentel.

“‘Dadalhin ko yung sasakyan nyo kasi for verification.’ Kako, ‘Nandiyan naman yung OR/CR, nandiyan yung lisensya. Simple violation lang ‘yan. Tiketan mo na dahil gabi na.’ ‘Ah hindi, dadalhin ko ‘to,’” Pimentel shared.

('I am taking your vehicle for verification,' he said. I told him, 'The registration documents and driver's license are right there. It’s just a simple traffic violation. Just issue a ticket because it's already late.' But he insisted, 'No, I'm taking this vehicle.')

The fake cop then questioned why the congressman wasn't inside the vehicle at the time.

“Sabi ko, ‘Teka muna. Ako napipikon na ko sayo ha. Simple violation lang ‘yan.’ ‘Hindi, dadalhin ko to. Pwede natin pag-usapan’”, said Pimentel.

(I told him, 'Hold on. You are starting to frustrate me. That is a minor violation.' He replied, 'No, I am taking this vehicle. But we can talk this over.')

“Kinabahan kasi ako yung, sabi ng driver ko, walang plaka. Tapos may baril. Kako kung dadalhin nya, baka mamaya, modus lang yan para mag-carnap,” he added.

(I grew anxious because my driver mentioned that he had no license plate. Plus, he was armed. I thought to myself, if he takes the vehicle, this might just be a carnapping modus.)

Pimentel threatened to report the apprehension to Philippine National Police Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., which eventually forced the suspect to release his driver.

“Sabi ko, ‘Sumbong kita kay Nartatez’. Biglang sinabing, ‘Ah, ok na. Pagbigyan kita,’” said Pimentel.

(I told him, 'I am going to report you to Nartatez.' Suddenly he said, 'Ah, it's fine. I'll let you off this time.’)

Just this Sunday, a victim identified only as "Vince" was also targeted by the same fake police officer, who demanded a city engineering permit for an installation they were working on along Mindanao Avenue.

“At that time po nun, kinumpiska nya OR/CR nung sasakyan ng contractor ko, then ID tsaka permits,” said “Vince.”

(At that moment, he confiscated my contractor's vehicle registration papers, along with their IDs and permits.)

Instead of being brought to a police station, he was taken to a park where the suspect attempted to collect money from him.

It remains unclear what a police officer would have to do with city permits — but upon filing a blotter report, the victim discovered that the man he spoke to was a fake cop.

The suspect was a former member of the Traffic Management Team but had long been absent without leave (AWOL).

Police Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Pajarillo said records show the suspect went AWOL.

“Nung nangyari to, we coordinated with TTMT nga. Ang lumalabas sa kanilang record is AWOL na po itong tao na ito. And since April pa. So, makikita natin na ilegal itong ginagawa nya since sa record nga TTMT is AWOL na sya,” he said.

(When this happened, we coordinated with the TTMT. Their records revealed that this individual has been AWOL since April. Therefore, his actions are entirely illegal given that he is already considered AWOL on the TTMT roster.)

The authorities also confirmed that it was the suspect’s modus.

“Hahanapan nya ng traffic violation, kahit naman kumpleto yung permit ng mga ito. May gawa-gawa syang mga traffic violation para lang makapanita. Then, ipe-pressure nya, ii-intimidate nya then papakitaan nya ng firearm dahil may replica syang firearm e,” said Parajillo.

(He would look for traffic violations even if their permits were complete. He would fabricate traffic violations just to flag down motorists. Then, he would pressure and intimidate them, even brandishing a firearm since he carries a replica gun.)

With the help of the victim, the suspect was arrested in an entrapment operation, which even escalated into a chase when he attempted to flee.

Pimentel has also filed complaints of attempted carnapping and grave coercion against the suspect.

The suspect, however, denied the allegations against him: “Baka hindi totoo yung mga sinasabi nila na ‘yan.” (What they are saying might not be true.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA News