Ombuds dismisses 2 cops for extortion

The Office of the Ombudsman for the military ordered for the dismissal from service of a police official and a non-commission police officer for grave misconduct for allegedly extorting money from suspected drug pushers.

In a 10-page decision, Deputy Ombudsman for the Military Emilio Gonzales III approved the recommendation of graft investigation officer Mary Antonette Yalao to dismiss former Consolacion police chief Claro Benatiro and Police Officer II Antonio Aguisanda from service.

Benatiro and Aguisanda were found guilty of grave misconduct for allegedly extorting money from suspected drug pushers Mary Ann Deniega and her boyfriend Hiram Godinez.

The Ombudsman however exonerated six other accused police officers from Consolacion for lack of evidence.

Those who were acquitted from the administrative charge for grave misconduct were SPO1 Ricardo Ermac, SPO1 Dennis Malinao, PO3 Ernesto Pepito, PO2 Rodelo Pilapil, PO1 Julius Patac and PO3 Marcelo Cometa.

The anti-graft office ruled that there is sufficient evidence to prove that Benatiro and Aguisanda were guilty of the offense.

“The evidence sufficiently show that all the elements of the crime of bribery may be proved against PInsp. Benatiro and PO2 Aguisanda thereby showing their clear intent to violate the law,” the decision reads.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Deniega and Godinez, who were arrested by Aguisanda, PO2 Rodelo Pilapil and PO1 Julius Patac of the Consolacion Police Station on October 7, 2005.

According to the complainants, during their arrest, Aguisanda and SPO1 Ricardo Ermac demanded P100,000 from them in exchange for Deniega’s liberty and downgrading the case for drug possession against her boyfriend.

The complainants said they were able to haggle for P70,000. After paying the amount, Deniega was released while Godinez was charged only with possession of illegal drugs instead of pushing.

The money was allegedly received by PO3 Ernesto Pepito, Jr. in the presence of PO1 Dennis Pepito, PO1 Junjun Cometa and Benatiro himself.

Unsatisfied with the amount they received, the police allegedly demanded another P120,000 from them for Godinez’s bail, which they also obliged. The money was received by PO1 Dennis Malinao.

But to their surprise, the actual amount paid for Godinez’ bail was only P50,000. The police again allegedly demanded another P10,000 from the complainants for the release of the motorcycle that was confiscated during their arrest.

Deniega and Godinez then decided to seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation. An entrapment operation was set up on October 20, 2005 in front of a bank at the national highway in Consolacion. —  Fred P. Languido/LPM