12-anyos na binatilyong nakauniporme ng pulis at umano'y nangongotong, nasagip sa Pasay City @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/BxbqNS3wrB — Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) February 23, 2016

MANILA - A 12-year-old boy who pretended to be a policeman and extorted money from drivers in Pasay City was apprehended by authorities on Tuesday.

The boy was seen along EDSA Rotonda wearing a complete police uniform, with a replica of 9mm gun in his holster, according to Insp. Jaqueline Ta-a, Police Community Precinct 4 chief.

The boy, who was holding a pad of pink "tickets," was allegedly apprehending some drivers and asked money from them. He also reportedly threatened to report the drivers to the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

The boy told police that he lives in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. He also allegedly bought the police uniform in Camp Crame, and said he has friends who are members of the police.

Ta-a said it is possible that the boy grew up in Camp Bagong Diwa, and may have found the police uniform somewhere.

"Feeling niya talaga, pulis siya, opisyal siya. Hindi niya tini-treat 'yung sarili niya na bata siya. Kung makipag-usap siya, pati 'yung mga lenggwahe na ginagamit niya, parang pulis na pulis talaga siya. Pati nga 'yung damit makikita mo, proper attire talaga siya.

Pahayag ni Insp.Jacqueline Ta-a hinggil sa sinagip nilang binatilyong nagpupulis-pulisan sa Pasay @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/CAMmmX73F0 — Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) February 23, 2016

Traffic enforcers in the area said the boy appears occasionally in the area, where he mimics what the enforcers do.

"Pasulpot-sulpot din eh, minsan dumarating, makikikaway rin," Pasay Traffic Regie dela Torre said about the boy.

Pahayag ni Pasay Traffic Enforcer Regie dela Torre tungkol sa batang nagpupulis-pulisan @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/7PTBoLie6J — Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) February 23, 2016

The boy has been brought to the Pasay City Youth Homes, where he will be assessed by social workers. Officials will also try to look for his parents so he can be returned to his family. - report from Zhander Cayabyab, DZMM