Cop Faces Ax for Mulcting Comelec Truck Driver

LEGAZPI CITY, April 29 --A police officer assigned at the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) here is in hot water following complaints of extracting money from a truck driver who delivered election paraphernalia's to the Commission on Election (COMELEC) regional office here.

Sr. Police Officer II (SPO2) Aldrin Monuz, HPG member operating in Albay, was placed under investigation for charges of extortion preliminary to filing of administrative charges, punishable by either suspension or dismissal from the service.

Police Supt. Eliciar Bron, PNP Bicol spokesman, said an investigating team had been created to conduct a full dressed investigation.

He said Munoz allegedly flagged down a truck, driven by Jose Calo, at about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday while negotiating the Maharlika Highway at Barangay Matacon, Polangui, Albay.

The driver told investigators that the apprehending HPG officer asked for documents of the truck and cargo on board the truck with which he immediately complied.

The driver told Monuz that the truck was commissioned by the Comelec to deliver urgent election paraphernalia's to the agency regional office here.

The driver said that after Munoz inspected the documents, the police officer accused him of driving a "colorum" or unregistered truck and demanded for a P6,000 fine for the violation.

The driver insisted that the truck was duly registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and told the apprehending policeman that he had no money to pay the fine.

A certain Remegio, a Comelec Manila-based employee escorting the cargo, has certified that the cargo was a government property and that the delivery of the cargo should not be delayed.

To facilitate the release of the truck and its cargo the suspect asked for P100 as grease money, instead of the P6,000 fine previously demanded.(PNA)