Loot to probe extort try by Moalboal cops

Cebu Provincial Police Office director S/Supt. Vicente Loot yesterday said an investigation would be conducted after the Moalboal town chief of police was linked by the mother of an alleged drug pusher to extortion last Wednesday.

Last Wednesday afternoon the National Bureau of Investigation agents arrested three policemen of the Moalboal town police station for extortion. SPO2 Jerry Villarin, PO3 Estanislao Avenido, and PO2 Godofredo Amancio were caught in an entrapment set up by the NBI inside an eatery along M. Velez Street at around 1:30 p.m Wednesday.

Elizabeth Gallarde, 57, of Poblacion East Moalboal, had accused the policemen of demanding money from her in exchange for the release of her 21-year-old son whom they had arrested for alleged drug pushing last March 6. She claimed her son was arrested and booked for theft but the policemen made it appear it was a buy-bust operation.

Gallarde said that Villarin demanded P80,000 and another P20,000 for the chief of police of the town and was forced to sell a piece of land in the town to be able to come up with the amount.

But Gallarde suddenly had a change of heart. She went to Mayor Inocentes Cabaron who advised her to seek the NBI's help. And the NBI began surveillance of the three men starting last week. Gallardi supplied the marked money. When Avenido received the money, the NBI agents moved in, arresting Avenido and two other policemen.

Avenido denied receiving the money from Gallarde, claiming they were framed up. They claimed they were responding to Gallarde's text message, which stated that she had something to give them. Villarin on the other hand, said they could not have demanded money from her since they have already filed a case against Gallarde's son at the Provincial Prosecutors' Office.

Villarin said that they went to the Prosecutors' Office Wednesday because the 10 days waiver of detention for Gallarde's son had already expired. He said that if they had asked for money to settle the case they would not have filed a case. However, Gallarde said the policemen demanded the money so they would execute an affidavit of desistance.

Moalboal police chief Carmelita Condevillamar immediately went to the NBI office upon learning the arrest of her men. She also denied Gallarde's allegation that she demanded P20,000 for a settlement and said that she has never talked to Gallarde. - Norvie S. Misa, correspondent