Cop dismissed for extortion

CEBU, Philippines - Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has dismissed from the service SP03 Uldarico Geroy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Dental Service 7 based at Camp Sotero Cabahug for demanding P30,000 from a police applicant in exchange for his inclusion as one of the successful PNP applicants.

The Ombudsman’s decision found Geroy administratively liable for grave misconduct for demanding the amount.

He was arrested in an entrapment operation last May 23, 2006 with the marked money in his pocket.

The anti-graft office stated that Geroy’s act of demanding money from police applicant Gerardo Barrientos constitutes estafa and grave misconduct by falsely pretending that he has the power or influence to have the name of the complainant included in the list of successful PNP applicants.

Aside from the dismissal, Gutierrez also ordered the filing of a criminal case for estafa under Article 315 paragraph 2 (a) of the Revised Penal Code against Geroy.

The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices recommended a P16,000-bail for Geroy.

Although Geroy denied the accusation, anti-graft investigator Maria Theresa Rafols said his denial could not prevail over the allegations of the complainant.

Barrientos claimed that Geroy initially demanded P50,000 from him but eventually reduced the amount to P30,000.

Geroy was arrested at the port area in 2006 after agreeing to meet Barrientos there. Barrientos coordinated with the police for the entrapment operation.

It was reported that although Geroy threw the marked money, which was placed in a white envelope.

It was reportedly Barrientos’ second attempt to join the PNP. — (FREEMAN)