By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Three people were arrested for offering cash to the police in exchange for dropping the charges against an illegal drug suspect, in an entrapment operation in New Washington town.
Accused of bribing policemen were Ramie dela Torre, 45, of Brgy. Andagao here, and his sister-in-law, Maria Fe dela Torre, 42, and nephew, Mark Steven dela Torre, 23, both of Brgy. Manoc-manoc, Boracay.
They negotiated with arresting police officers to drop the drug possession charges against Ramie’s brother and Maria Fe’s husband, Sotero “Badoy” dela Torre.
Operatives of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG), New Washington police station and the Provincial Intelligence Branch Office apprehended them at the Residence River Restaurant in Brgy. Tambak, New Washington, about seven kilometers east of this capital town, on Monday.
Sotero Dela Torre, 43, was arrested by PAIDSOTG operatives in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Yapak, Boracay, on April 19.
He was charged with violation of Sections 5 (pushing) and 11 (possession) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Acts of 2002 before a regional trial court.
He is currently detained in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Brgy. Nalook here after his hospital arrest in the provincial hospital.
“Pagdakop pa lang kay Sotero, may mga emisaryo na last week na gahambal na ma-areglo sila sa P200,000,” said Insp. Wilfredo Hofileña, PAIDSOTG chief. “[Gusto] nila nga i-atras sang mga arresting police ang kaso sa Section 5, sa drug pushing.”
Hofileña said the suspect’s relatives suggested handing over the money to the arresting cops in a restaurant in New Washington. But he said he “warned the arresting officers not to entertain the negotiation with the dela Torres.”
During the entrapment, Maria Fe gave P100,000 cash to Ramie, who in turn gave it to the police officers. That was when the operatives pounced on them.
Hofileña revealed that the relatives promised to give the additional P100,000 if dela Torre could post bail for drug possession charges.
Recovered from the three were bank withdrawal slips, mobile phones with text messages of their bribery transaction, and cash. Detained in the police station here, they are facing charges for violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code (corruption of public officials).
“Ang kredibilidad [sang pulis] kag ang salig sang mga tawo [sa pulis], amo man lang na ang ginahalungan ta,” Hofilena said.
For his part, Chief Insp. Al Lloren Bigay, New Washington police chief, said, “Isa itong malaking halimbawa na nagtatrabaho ang ating kapulisan ng tama at hindi nasisilaw sa pera.”/PN
