2 arrested for trying to bribe policemen

A man and his niece were arrested the other night after allegedly trying to bribe members of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group-7 to downgrade charges against a man who was arrested during a drug operation.

The two were identified as Washington Oyao, alias “Inday”, and Janisha Cortez, all residents of barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

Last Wednesday the RAIDSOTG-7 arrested Paquito Oyao, a suspected drug pusher who allegedly operates in Lapu-Lapu City and the neighboring islands, during a buy-bust operation in Marigondon where the team of Supt. Marvin Sanchez bought two big packs of shabu.

Paquito is said to be a Level 2 drug pusher who can dispose of at least 200 grams up to a kilo of shabu per week.

Later, Paquito’s daughter Cortez and his brother Washington approached the RAIDSOTG-7 and tried to bribe policemen into downgrading the charges against Paquito.An amount was agreed on and a payoff was arranged for Thursday night.

When the two returned to the RAIDSOTG-7 headquarters with P100,000 in 200 pieces of P500 bills, policemen in plainclothes arrested them.

The two admitted trying to bribe the policemen, although Cortez, in an interview with Balitang Bisdak yesterday, said they did not know that her father had been arrested until Washington approached her telling they have to try and bribe the policemen.

The two will be charged for violation of the Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code for corruption of public officials.

Police also said Paquito has four pending drug cases before the Regional Trial Courts of Lapu-Lapu City. — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP