There has been a concerning trend observed on the main highways and within the cities where youths are patching potholes and extorting money from drivers, something that the police say is illegal.
In the Central province and the National Capital District (NCD), police are issuing warnings to those involved in these practices to stop and urge the public to report such incidents immediately, so that law enforcement can respond quickly and address the situation.
Police have made it clear that extorting money from the traveling public is an offense that should be reported; therefore, citizens are encouraged to take photos of the individuals engaging in this activity and share them with the police.
These photos will help law enforcement monitor if the same group is operating in different locations or if new individuals have emerged.
The police emphasized the importance of observing and reporting these incidents to ensure that those responsible are arrested and charged appropriately. If anyone feels harassed at these locations, they must report it to the nearest police station for record-keeping.
In addition, police discourage the public from paying these individuals, as that would encourage them to continue doing it.