A POLICEMAN was accused of extorting money from ambulant vendors in General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City.
PO1 Berlino Ricafort, who is assigned at the Cebu City Police Station 2, faced reporters yesterday to deny the allegations against him.
“Di man jud na malikayan nga motrabaho ta, unya ang ubang tawo wa nakauyon (It cannot be avoided that some people will be upset as we carry out our job),” he said.
According to a complaint sent to a radio staion in Cebu City, Ricafort demanded P500 from seven vendors selling cigarettes at the sidewalk in Mango Avenue.
The vendors were allegedly threatened that they will be brought to the police station and charged with illegal gambling if they won’t pay a P500 fine.
The vendors said they paid the fine but were not given a receipt.
Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division (RIDMD), said an investigation will be conducted into the allegation.
“We will try to visit the area and talk to the cigarette vendors to check if they are victims of abuse by policemen using their rank or position. If they are willing to give testimonies, charges will be filed,” said Lawas.
Lawas said the investigation office can require Ricafort to answer the allegations even without a formal complaint filed against him.
Lawas, for his part, advised the complainants to file formal complaint.
“There has to be a formal investigation,” he said.