TWO suspects allegedly posing as non-uniformed police personnel (NUP) and “soliciting” financial assistance for a team building were arrested by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

The suspects, a 48-year-old woman from San Fernando, Pampanga, and a male cohort, 47, of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, were arrested at 7 p.m. (April 24) at Simon Compound, Bgy. Unang Sigaw, Quezon City.

Based on the initial report, P/Cpl. Kevin Baylon Acierto sought the assistance of PS (Police Station) 4 operatives regarding the message sent by a certain NUP officer, who is allegedly assigned to the Office of the Regional Director (ORD), NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office), “asking for financial assistance” for their team building.

However, authorities said they received a message from their official NCRPO Viber Group informing all the station commanders of NCRPO that someone was pretending to be a personnel of ORD-NCRPO, seeking cash solicitation.

Responding to the verification, joint operatives of QCDACT and PS-4 launched an entrapment operation against the suspects and sent money through GCash.

The arresting team immediately arrested the two suspects after trying to “cash out” the remitted money at a store in Bgy. Unang Sigaw City, QC.

Recovered from their possession were P5,000 and one Oppo smartphone.

The suspects will be charged with violation of Art. 177 and Art. 135 in relation to RA (Republic Act) 10175 and will undergo inquest proceedings before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

“Pinapaalalahanan ko ang ating QCitizens na huwag basta magtitiwala sa mga taong ginagamit ang pangalan ng ilang personalidad para lamang makapangloko. Kaagad lamang ipaalam at ireport sa ating kapulisan ang mga ganitong insidente upang agaran namin itong maaksyunan at maiwasan na maulit muli,” said QCPD Chief P/BGen. Nicholas D. Torre III.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Melnie Ragasa-limena