Bataan mechanic arrested for attempting to bribe cops

BALANGA CITY, Philippines  – A 35-year-old motorcycle mechanic was arrested the other night for allegedly attempting to bribe policemen in the investigation room of Camp Tolentino, the provincial police headquarters based here.

 The bribe was supposedly in exchange for a lesser offense to be filed against a close relative, a motorcycle spare parts dealer who was caught with P400,000 worth of shabu and an unlicensed .45 caliber automatic pistol during a buy-bust operation in Samal, Bataan.

Senior Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao, Bataan police director, told The STAR that Roberto Javate Jr. of West Calaguiman, Samal approached the police investigator on case who was then busy preparing documents in connection with the filing of illegal possession of 35 grams of shabu and an unlicensed .45 caliber automatic pistol against his cousin, Michael Buensuceso of Barangay Lalawigan, Samal.

Javate, reportedly accompanied Buensuceso when the latter was apprehended and brought to the police provincial office, offered a “grease money” in the amount of P100,000 cash on condition that the case to be filed against his cousin would be lowered to become a bailable offense.

With this development, Gunnacao said an entrapment had been made which was headed by Superintendent Benjamin Silo, head of the Police Public Safety Co. that resulted to the arrest of Javate.

A case of violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code or corruption of public officials will be filed against Javate before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office here.