Traffic constable nabbed for robbery extortion

The Quezon City Police District announced on Thursday the arrest of a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic constable for robbery extortion during joint operations by personnel of the Holy Spirit Police Station (PS 14) and MMDA early today in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City.

P/Lt. Col. Alex Alberto, Station Commander of PS 14 identified the MMDA traffic constable as Raul Lapore y Biasong, 53 , a resident of Saret Street, Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Lapore is currently assigned at the MMDA in Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

Police report showed that prior to the incident, PS 14 has been receiving complaints from truck drivers plying along Congressional Avenue Extension on the alleged extortion activities of the suspect.

On 8 December 2022, PS 14 personnel while conducting anti-criminality patrol in the area, the suspect was caught in the act while engaging in extortion.

The investigation revealed that at about 3:40 a.m. of 8 December while the complainant Crislie Rife, truck driver, resident of Candido Street Mapulang Lupa, Valenzuela and witness Winston de la Cruz helper/driver, resident of Sukaban, Bagbaguin, Caloocan City both on board a Trailer Truck with plate No. NDD 6461 was traversing Congressional Extension North Bound, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City and transporting a crane, when the suspect suddenly flagged them for alleged "oversize load" violation.

Afterwards, the suspect demanded P500 in exchange for non-issuance of Traffic Violation Ticket. The victims negotiated with the suspect to lower the amount to P300 to which the suspect agreed and handed over the money.

Patrolling police officers upon seeing the incident approached the traffic enforcer and the victims who positively identified Lapore as the one demanding money from them. They recovered from Lapore the amount of P300.

The suspect is now under the custody of PS 14 and will be charged with robbery extortion.

P/Brig. Gen. Torre III said that we have already coordinated with the MMDA and informed about the suspect's arrest wherein MMDA leadership proceeded immediately at PS 14 and assured that the suspect will be held liable for his misdemeanour.