NBI files complaint against alleged fixer

CEBU - A complaint was filed yesterday by the National Bureau of Investigation before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against an alleged fixer victimizing NBI clearance applicants. The complaint was filed against Angelito Tanilon, who was arrested in an entrapment operation last Thursday afternoon. Tanilon, together with two others identified as Rico Trasporto Jr. and Gerald Comilang, was allegedly prying on NBI clearance applicants.

Trasporto and Comilang escaped from the dragnet after seeing that Tanilon was already handcuffed inside the NBI compound.

However, they will still face criminal charges for violation of the Republic Act 9451 otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

The entrapment operation stemmed from several complaints received by the NBI about the operation of the fixers in its own backyard.

Special Investigator Arnel Pura said they immediately acted on the reports that there are people asking money from clearance applicants in the guise of helping them expedite their application.

Brandon Arbon, cousin of one of its investigative staff, acted as poseur-applicant to commence the entrapment.

Arbon went to the NBI office at 3:00 p.m. last Thursday to apply for a clearance. He was met by the three suspects who offered him to process his application.

According to Arbon, Tanilon asked for P400 to process the application when it only cost P115. Arbon said that Tanilon told him that the P200 will be given to the people inside the clearance division of the NBI while the remaining P200 is for them. — Fred P. Languido/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)