2 ex-cops posing as active PNP personnel nabbed for victimizing Chinese national

August 30, 2020

Authorities arrested two former policemen for posing as active members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and victimizing a Chinese national for not wearing a face shield last Friday.

Police Major General Debold Sinas, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, said Edward Gacutan, 32, and Eduardo Cayabyab, 48, were arrested along FB Harrison Extension, Pasay City around 6:45pm.

Initial investigation disclosed the victim had just boarded a taxi when Gacutan, who was wearing a Field Service Uniform, introduced himself as a police officer and cautioned the victim for not wearing a face shield.

Gacutan went inside the taxi and sat beside the victim. When Cayabyab was about to board the vehicle, the victim took the chance to escape by hitting the head of Cayabyab.

Victim ran to a nearby hotel where he sought assistance and the hotel staff immediately called the Pasay City Police Sub-station 5.

Operatives from Pasay City Police Station- Intelligence Section and PNP- Integrity and Monitoring Enforcement Group (IMEG) responded to the incident and were able to apprehend the suspects who were about to leave the area.

Sinas said Gacutan was dismissed from the PNP in 2012 and his last assignment was in Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 while Cayabyab retired in 2017 and his last assignment was in PRO-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Recovered from them were unlicensed firearms, expired PNP IDs, their vehicle and other personal belongings.

"Further investigation will be conducted as to the other victims and crimes that these suspects may have committed. I also give this as a warning to other former police officers-those who were dismissed, retired, terminated and or resigned, do not use the PNP for your personal gains especially in committing crimes,” Sinas said.

The NCRPO chief warned the PNP will file charges and run after those who use the organization for selfish acts.

Complaints for possible kidnapping, theft, illegal possession of firearms, usurpation of authority, and use of PNP uniform and insignia are being prepared against the suspects. Ella Dionisio/DMS