A man claiming to be a Department of Transportation (DoTr) Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) enforcer was arrested in Quezon City on suspicion of extortion.
Reports said that local traffic enforcers apprehended the man after his alleged victim sought assistance from Barangay E. Rodriguez.
Barangay chairperson Marciano Bueno-Agua Jr. identified the suspect as Manolito Aron Jr. and according to authorities, Aron stopped a motorcycle parcel delivery driver on West Point Street in Cubao, alleging the driver’s vehicle was overloaded.
Aron reportedly told the driver that the violation carried a penalty ranging from P5,000 to P20,000, but offered to settle the matter for P1,000.
The driver reportedly bargained, stating he only had P700, which Aron allegedly accepted as a bribe.
Unbeknownst to Aron, the victim then reported the incident to Bueno-Agua, who ordered the suspect’s arrest.
Aron reportedly admitted to the extortion attempt, telling authorities he needed the money for a heart ailment.