Ex-Mandaue traffic aide wanted for extortion

Police are on the hunt for a former Mandaue City traffic enforcer who was accused of extorting money from a motorist Monday afternoon.

Police said Nicasio Sanchez Jr. passed himself off as a traffic enforcer of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) when he demanded money from Rodrigo Barte, 69, whom he had accosted for obstructing traffic after the Multicab he was driving stalled in the middle of the road in barangay Jagobiao.

Barte said a man in a traffic enforcer’s uniform, who was later identified as Sanchez, approached him and cited him for obstructing traffic.

Sanchez allegedly threatened to have the vehicle towed unless he pays a fine of P1,000.

Barte then told Sanchez that he only had P300 with him.

Barte said he then suspected that something is wrong when Sanchez took the P300 and told him that everything is fine.

Barte reported the incident to the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Mandaue City Police Office.

Police said Sanchez, a resident of barangay Calabuan in Consolacion town, is no longer connected with Team after his employment contract was not renewed by the city government.

Sanchez will be facing an estafa charge, police said.