CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation will file criminal and administrative charges before the Ombudsman and the National Police Commission against the three Talisay City policemen accused of extorting money from the family of a drug suspect they arrested last last Friday.
Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Jesus Gaquing also said PO2 Roy Sarsaba and PO3s Eric Anad and Martin Gorosin III will be relieved from their posts at the Talisay City Police Office. They will be transferred to police stations in the northern or southern parts of Cebu with lesser number of personnel.
Using their patrol car, Gorosin and Anad, both of TCPO’s Intelligence Division, and Sarsaba of the station’s Theft and Robbery Section, eluded an entrapment initiated by the NBI.
The three allegedly were meeting complainant Elvincito Baguio at the gym near the old Talisay City Hall midday the other day to get the P50,000 they demanded to downgrade the drug case against the complainant’s niece.
Gaquing said CPPO will not insist in conducting its own investigation unless the complainant requests the office to do so. As of now, the NBI will remain to be the lead agency in the investigation.
Gaquing directed the head of the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch to request from the NBI a copy of the affidavit of complaint. He said TCPO chief Henry Biñas, whose name was allegedly dragged by the three policemen, will not be relieved from his post unless otherwise proven by the investigation.
For his part, Biñas said he is willing to cooperate in the investigation anytime. He also asked his three men to face the ongoing probe. Biñas said he was conducting a lecture at the Regional Training Service when the incident happened.
Asked about the three policemen’s performance, Biñas said, “Mu-trabaho g’yud na sila tulo.”
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-7 Director Lani-O Nerez, said they will conduct a parallel investigation on the matter.
“If it warrants dismissal from service, nganong manghinayang man ta? Kung lig-on gyud ang ebidensya, i-dismiss gyud na. Basta muagi lang og due process,” Nerez said.
Sarsaba, Gorosin, and Enad denied the allegations against them.
“Allegations ra ‘na nila. Pero wa na ta’y mahimo. Mo-face na lang mi sa investigation,” Enad said.
Gorosin alleged that he was at the PNP Crime laboratory when the incident happened.
“Init na sila (drug suspects) kaayo namo because one week lang, daghan na ming nadakpan…daghan man mi gud naligsan nga mga tawo, mga dagkong level,” Gorosin said.
He further alleged that when the drug suspect was arrested past 2pm and the complaint against the drug suspect was filed before the prosecutor’s office around 4pm.
Baguio’s niece Maridel Obrero was arrested by the Talisay City Police last Friday afternoon in barangay Tangke during a saturation drive.
The three policemen allegedly offered to downgrade the case in exchange for money.
Baguio alleged it was Sarsaba who told him they will file a complaint for possession instead of pushing if they can produce P100,000. Baguio said they reportedly were able to haggle for P50,000.
Baguio further said Sarsaba called him at 7am the other day and reminded him of the P50,000, which prompted him to seek the help of the NBI. - Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)