Two cops, wife charged over Pakistani ‘hulidap’

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  — Criminal charges were already slapped against two policemen for taking money from a Pakistani businessman last week.

Police Officer 1 James Olvido and PO2 Rex Gabaua, both assigned at the Iloilo City Police Office Intelligence Section, were charged last Dec. 5 with serious illegal detention, grave threats, and extortion, docketed under I.S. No. 12-00959 at the Iloilo Provincial Prosecution Office.

The charges against Gabaua and Olvido also included the latter’s wife, Anna.

Complainant Tahir Akhunzadah, through his legal counsel, revealed that the Olvido couple and Gabaua went to his house at Providence Subdivision at Brgy. Balabag in Pavia town of Iloilo at around 10:00 a.m. last November 28.

The two policemen told the Pakistani that he has a pending arrest warrant for an illegal drugs case. They however “negotiated” that they would not arrest him and, in effect, make the case vanish in exchange for P200,000.

The fear of incarceration for a trumped-up charge allegedly forced Akhunzadah to fall into the trio’s “offer.”

As reported, the Pakistani told the three that he had no money at hand at the time but had to get it from his merchandising store at Mandurriao district in Iloilo City. The three went with him and in the presence of Akhunzadah’s employees, the three received the P200,000.

Later, the Pakistani lodged a complained to the police and an investigation was then conducted by the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO). When things led into the Olvido, his wife, and Gabaua, they returned the P150,000 cash to Akhunzadah.

“The fact that they returned a portion of the money is a clear indication that there was bribery,” said Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., director of Police Regional Office-6.

Cruz also ordered ICPO director Sr. Supt. Marietto Valerio to put the two policemen under custodial investigation. “I’m just waiting for official report and we would start the summary dismissal proceedings against them,” he added.

Aside from the instant case, Cruz noted that there was no recorded complaint yet against the two policemen.  (FREEMAN)