Sack cop in bribe try, GMA orders

BAGUIO CITY — President Arroyo has reportedly recommended the summary dismissal of a Manila-based police officer who tried to bribe narcotics agents here with P200,000 in exchange for the freedom of three members of a drug syndicate during a buy-bust operation in Shangri-La Village here on June 29.

This was learned from Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane who told reporters here that his office is currently investigating to find out if there is a probable cause to dismiss Inspector Luis Chico from police service. Chico was reportedly assigned at the Crowd Control Management Unit of the Western Police District at the National Capital Region Police Office.

"The case (of Chico) has reached the attention of the President and she recommended the summary dismissal of the police officer," Ebdane said in a short press briefing after the 99th National Law Enforcement Council meeting at the Club John Hay.

Last week, Assistant City Prosecutor Elmer Sagsago recommended the filing of attempted corruption case against Chico and requested that Chico be suspended pending trial.

Sagsago claimed that "it is clear that Chico did offer money in exchange for the release of (drug) suspects Marcelo de Juating and Poncilito Cruz, who were in the custody of the 14th Regional Anti-Narcotics Group." — Artemio Dumlao