NBI operatives led by executive officer Ernesto Macabare conducted what was supposed to be an entrapment operation for the arrest of PO2 Anthony Aguisanda assigned in the town of Consolacion.
The agents, however, failed to arrest Aguisanda when he allegedly refused to personally receive the marked money. Instead, two of his alleged runners, identified as Dennis Malinao and Dennis Pepito, received the money and were arrested.
The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by Ramil Godinez and his live-in partner Mary Ann Flores before the NBI. Special investigator Arnel Pura said that Godinez and Flores complained that Aguisanda is demanding P10,000 from them on top of the P70,000 that they had already paid.
Pura said that Aguisanda arrested the complainants for drug pushing last October 7. The cop allegedly demanded P70,000 from them to downgrade the case into drug possession instead of pushing. However, when the complainants asked for the release of their motorcycle, which was confiscated by Aguisanda during their arrest, the latter allegedly demanded another P10,000 prompting them to seek the assistance of the NBI.
Aguisanda, in an interview with The FREEMAN last night, denied the allegations. He said he was in barangay Cansaga yesterday afternoon together with his chief, Senior Inspector Claro Binatero, conducting a surveillance operation.
Aguisanda said that they were responding to a report Flores herself made regarding an ongoing big-time drug transaction yesterday afternoon at the parking lot of a pharmacy in barangay Cansaga. However, when they reached the place, Aguisanda said Flores showed hesitance to point at the persons involved in the ongoing transaction. He said such prompted them to pull out from said location.
According to Aguisanda, Binatero ordered Pepito and Malinao later to return to barangay Cansaga to check if Flores was still around. Aguisanda said he did not know why the NBI arrested them.
Aguisanda, however, suspected that Flores wanted to get even with them because they arrested and charged her live-in partner two weeks ago. - Fred P. Languido