Cops accused of extortion transferred

CEBU, Philippines - The three cops accused of extorting money from the family of a drug suspect were relieved from their posts in Talisay City and were transferred to Pilar, Camotes.

PO2s Roy Sarsaba and Martin Gorosin and PO3 Eric Enad were supposed to be transferred to Carmen and Oslob police stations, respectively, but Provincial Police Director Jesus Gaquing said yesterday afternoon that the three would be stationed in Camotes instead.

Three other policemen who were also relieved from their posts in Talisay City a few months ago will return to the Talisay Police Station to fill the vacancy.

The National Bureau of Investigation was supposed to file charges against the three cops yesterday but NBI Regional Director Medardo De Lemos was not around to sign the transmittal of the documents to the Office of the Ombudsman. The formal complaint will be filed today.

The NBI has readied to charge against the three - violations of Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code or direct bribery and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The three policemen were subjects of an entrapment operation the NBI initiated last Monday but were able to escape allegedly using no less than the police patrol car.

Yesterday, Gaquing dispelled rumors that policemen assigned at the Talisay City Police Station are often involved in illegal activities, saying these are but talks and have no concrete evidence.

He, however, encouraged those who might be victimized by abusive policemen not to hesitate in filing a formal complaint.

“Dako ni og epekto para namo nga nadakpan pa jud sila sa NBI. Gani, among nahisgutan ni RD nga ang ilang award sa pagsulbad sa kaso ni Fr. Rabusa mura jud og na setback… nawagtang dayon,” Gaquing said.

Gaquing said that if the NBI will furnish his office a copy of the affidavit of the complainant, the provincial police office would no longer push through with its investigation if only to dispel potential accusations of bias.

Meanwhile, City Police Director Patrocinio Comendador advised Talisay Police Chief Henry Biñas to face investigation to clear his name. Biñas was dragged to the controversy as chief of the Talisay City Police Office.

“If our conscience is clear, we’ll never be afraid of everything,” Comendador said.

He said Biñas maintained a clean reputation when he was still with the city police office.

“He is really diligent. He performs his job to the most of his abilities,” Comendador said.

Complainant Elvincito Baguio sought the help of the NBI when the three policemen allegedly asked P50,000 from him to downgrade the drug case they would file against Baguio’s nice Maridel Obrero.

Obrero was arrested by the Talisay City Police Friday last week in barangay Tangke during a saturation drive. The suspects allegedly offered to downgrade the case from pushing to possession in exchange for money.

Baguio alleged it was Sarsaba who told him they will downgrade the case if they can produce P100,000. The amount was subsequently lowered to P50,000.

Last Monday, in what seemed to be a move to foil an entrapment, Sarsaba reportedly gave a last minute instruction to Baguio to proceed to the plaza about 20 meters away from the place they originally agreed to meet.

At the plaza, Sarsaba, Enad and Corosin reportedly ordered Baguio to board the patrol car. The NBI lost the subjects in the process.

Baguio said he gave P30,000 with the marked bills to Sarsaba. The suspects even allegedly questioned why he only gave P30,000.

Sarsaba then allegedly instructed him to disembark from the patrol car in time for the pursuing NBI operatives to see them. The NBI operatives gave a chase but eventually lost the policemen. — Fred P. Languido, Gabriel C. Bonjoc, Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)