Two BFP personnel fall for extortion

CEBU, Philippines - A fireman and a civilian employee of the Bureau of Fire Protection-7 detailed at the Cebu City Hall were arrested Wednesday afternoon during an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation for alleged extortion.

SFO4 Joseph Ababon and fire safety inspector Leonidas Benatero Jr. were accused of demanding P10,000 from an English school executive in Barangay Kamputhaw.

They were arrested in the act of receiving the marked money from the complainant, Marilyn Mar, past 4 p.m. at the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office where they hold office.

The suspects were detailed at the Fire Safety Enforcement Inspection Section of the Cebu City Hall.

A team of NBI-7 operatives led by special investigator Agapito Gierran set up the entrapment operation based on the complaint of Mar.

Mar, manager of South Speak English Institute, Inc, said the alleged extortion happened on May 29, 2014 when a City Hall team inspected the school because of its pending application for change of address.

Mar, a former chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan in Punta Princesa, said that Benatero recommended them to buy new fire extinguishers and refill the existing fire extinguishers.

“…Bilatero (Benatero) recommended that we should buy five units of new fire extinguishers and refill the existing seven fire extinguishers. He gave me the person’s mobile number that I should contact with, to be able to buy. Then after I will show him the receipt so he can sign and he will continue processing our application,” read Mar’s affidavit.

According to Mar, she was instructed by Benatero to only buy fire extinguishers from a certain Michael because his store was allegedly accredited by them. 

Even if the price was very expensive, Mar said she was obliged to buy from a certain Michael and paid P25,250 instead of P15,000 to P17,000 from other dealers.

After complying with what was told, Mar said she went to Benatero and presented the receipt hoping that she would be able to get her application’s approval.

 However, Benatero allegedly required them to change the door of their fire exit. She was allegedly given the option to either change the door or just pay P30,000.

Mar said she sought the assistance of her friend from the Office of the Mayor who asked Benatero not to extort money from her.

“My friend from the office of the City Mayor really asked him not to extort money from us, but instead he said he can just give us a discount amount of P10,000,” Mar said.

Mar said she was left with no recourse but to arrange a meeting with Benatero for the supposed payoff. Unknown to Benatero, Mar had already reported the matter with the NBI.

The meeting happened at the parking lot outside of the City Hall Building where Benatero received the money. After receiving the money, Benatero went inside the treasurer’s office where Ababon was waiting and handed the money to the latter.  It was then that the NBI operatives who were already pre-positioned at the area swooped down on them and announced the arrest.

The NBI agents recovered the money from Ababon’s table drawer. The suspects refused to issue comments when asked about their arrest. They are now detained at the NBI headquarters pending the filing of the criminal complaints for direct bribery and violation of Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama immediately extended his congratulations to the NBI agents for the successful entrapment operation. Rama said he will not tolerate corruption at the City Hall.

Cebu City Fire Marshal Rogelio Bongabong Jr. said he was shocked and mad at the illegal activities of his men.

“Na-shock g’yud ko ug nasuko kay nagpakauwaw lang sila sa kabomberohan,” Bongabong told The FREEMAN.

The fire marshal said he will recommend to the BFP regional office to conduct administrative investigation against Ababon and Benatero.  (FREEMAN)