Cop nabbed in QCPD HQ after extort try on bus company

Authorities arrested a police officer on Tuesday evening after he allegedly tried to extort money from a bus company.

According to a report by GMA News' Jay Sabale on Unang Balita on Wednesday, the suspect, identified as Senior Police Officer 3 Achilles Magat, was arrested around 9 p.m. in an entrapment operation in front of Traffic Sector 3 at Camp Karingal, headquarters of the Quezon City Police District.

Magat allegedly tried to extort money from an official of Worthy Transport Bus after one of its bus units figured in a road accident at the Quezon Memorial Circle on October 23.

Samson Gargaritano, vice president for operations of Worthy Transport Bus, said Magat asked for P15,000 in exchange for releasing the public utility bus.

"Nag-usap kami. Sabi niya tatlo ang complainants. Sabi niya, ''Pag nagdemanda, ang piyansa niyan is P30,000. Pero bigyan mo lang kami ng P15,000 para mapabilis 'yung paglabas ng driver at saka ng bus,'" Gargaritano said.

Gargaritano also showed an alleged text message of Magat to back his accusations.

"Okay na P10,000 budget but Lunes pa kasi walang pasok ang office pag Saturday and Sunday. Punta sana ko dyan pero masama talaga pakiramdam ko. Pasensya na," the text message, allegedly from Magat, read.

Magat denied the accusations, saying it is impossible for him to hold the bus.

"Hindi ko po 'yan hino-hold kasi papaano ko 'yan maho-hold hindi naman umaandar yan," he said.

A cellphone video showed bundles of money reportedly given by the complainant to Magat, who is facing robbery extortion and grave coercion charges. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KG, GMA News