2 women charged for bribing cops

CEBU, Philippines - Two women were indicted for trying to bribe police officers to drop a case against a suspected drug pusher who was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pasil last weekend.

Assistant city prosecutor Ernesto Narido, Jr. filed the criminal case in court for corruption of public official against Mary Ann Torniado and Christy Ramos.

Torniado and Ramos were arrested inside the office of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group-7 during an entrapment operation.

The two tried to settle the case of Isabelo Fernandez, Jr. in exchange for P280,000.

Fernandez was arrested during the buy-bust operation last Saturday evening after selling P15,000 worth of shabu to an undercover policeman. Following the arrest, Fernandez was brought for booking in the police headquarters.

Ramos, who claimed to be Fernandez’s wife, called up the police headquarters in that same evening and offered P200,000 at first as settlement.

Police Officer 3 Roehl Patalinghug, who received the call, said that he told the caller that what she was doing is illegal. However, the caller allegedly persisted by increasing the offer to P280,000 and demanded that she be allowed to talk to the team leader.

This prompted Supt. Marvin Sanchez to set up an entrapment operation. When Ramos together with Torniado went to the RAIDSOTG-7 office to deliver the money they were immediately placed under arrest.

The prosecutor’s office has recommended P40,000 bail each for their temporary liberty. Fernandez on the other hand was charged for violation of Sections 11 and 5 of Article II of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (FREEMAN)