Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jun 2002
Source: Cebu Daily News  (Philippines)
Section: Metro
Copyright: 2002sCebu Daily News
Contact:  http://www.cebudailynews.com.ph/metro5.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1723
Author: Rizel C. Sabanal

PB TELLS POLICE: WATCH CONDUCT OF CHECKPOINTS

NOT all checkpoints are legitimate.

Cebu provincial legislators warned the public against unauthorized 
checkpoints set up by unscrupulous policemen or kidnappers disguising as 
policemen to shake down motorists.

Quoting the public advisory of Police Deputy Director Hermogenes Ebdane, 
Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong said there were already two 
incidents where car owners were arrested and locked up until they paid for 
their freedom and promised not to file cases against their abductors.

Maambong and Provincial Board Member Manuel Masangkay sponsored a 
resolution urging the Police Regional Office 7 to conduct massive 
surveillance on suspected groups.

The measure will be discussed during the board's regular session today.

"(This modus operandi) is really a threat to the public since checkpoints 
are believed to catch criminals,"   the resolution read.

The board members added that the "goons in uniform" would plant evidence 
such as shabu in flagged-down vehicles.

"The need to curb this insidious scheme before it proliferates is highly 
mandatory,"   they added.
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MAP posted-by: Beth