FOR TRYING TO 'PAY OFF' PASG AGENTS: Bizwoman falls in bribe attempt

CEBU - For trying to bribe elements of the Presidential Anti-smuggling Group (PASG), a Cebuana businesswoman was arrested yesterday afternoon at the Cebu International Port.

The PASG arrested Evangeline Vibar, 32, of barangay Pahina Central, who handed P12,000 to an agent for the release of a 20-footer container van believed to be loaded with coconut lumber.

She was arrested at the gate of the CIP at past 3 p.m. after handing the money to agent Noel Villamor, which was supposedly meant to help get the van released.

Instead of getting the van out of the CIP, Vibar was instead brought to the PASG office. Members of the media, who were at the CIP also to cover the seizure of the van, were also able to document the alleged bribery attempt.

The van, which arrived from Ozamis City late yesterday morning, was seized by the PASG according to their director Ariel Palcuto.

He said that they received information that the van contained 8,000 board feet of coconut lumber with a value of P120,000 that are believed to have been smuggled.

The van was reportedly consigned to Benigno Vibar, Evangeline’s husband.

According to Palcuto, his men accosted the driver of the prime mover that pulled the container out of the Gothong wharf.

Truck driver Laurito de la Cerna reportedly said that the owner of the cargo would be willing to negotiate and allegedly offered to pay P20,000.

Palcuto said they immediately set up the entrapment operation that resulted to Vibar’s arrest.

Vibar however said that she was made to understand that PASG was asking P15,000 for the release of their shipment. Her husband allegedly asked her to bring the money to the PASG office.

Vibar said that since they could only raise P12,000 she tried to haggle with Villamor.

According to Vibar, Villamor asked for the money and invited her to go with him inside the office.

Vibar said that she is not aware that she was already arrested.

“Ambot lang wa ko kasabot ani nila,” Vibar told The Freeman.

Palcuto said that Vibar’s arrest should serve as warning to those who are planning to bribe them. The driver of the prime mover was also arrested.

“I would like to give a firm warning to those who are planning to do the same. Do not attempt to bribe us because we will arrest you,” Palcuto said.

Palcuto said they will open the container today in the presence of the officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority. They are also expected to file a criminal case for violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code otherwise known as corruption of public official against Vibar before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.—(/NLQ) (THE FREEMAN)