Trader, middleman face charges for bribe attempt

CEBU - The Presidential Anti- Smuggling Group yesterday filed charges against the owner of the seized coconut lumber and her alleged middleman for allegedly trying to bribe one of the PASG members.

PASG filed the complaint for corruption of public officials against Evangeline Vivar and Laureto dela Cerna before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

Dela Cerna and Vivar were arrested the other day after they allegedly tried to bribe PO1 Noel Villamor for the release of the 20-footer container van that contained coconut lumber.

The van was held by PASG because the shipper allegedly violated forestry laws for transporting lumber without necessary permits.

During the seizure, Villamor said they received a tip that a shipment of illegally cut coco lumber would arrive about 11 a.m. at the Gothong Wharf on board MV Bay 1 from Ozamiz City. Gothong Wharf is a private wharf in Pier 7, Mandaue City.

After verifying the tip, operatives went to the pier and arrived just as the lumber was already loaded inside a 20-footer van and was moving out of the Gothong Wharf.

PASG operatives flagged down the trailer truck outside the wharf and opened the van, which contained 7,000 board feet of lumber.

The truck driver immediately went back to the pier to look for the broker, Dela Cerna, for the latter to face the PASG operatives.

Dela Cerna agreed to go to the PASG office at the CIP to settle the matter but eventually called the owner, Vibar, who was at home in Pahina Central, Cebu City.

Vibar owns the lumber sent by her husband, Benigno, from Ozamiz City intended for delivery to a lumberyard in Talisay City, Cebu.

Vibar arrived about 3 p.m. at the PASG compound where she was asked to show permits for the cutting and sale of coco lumber. But instead of showing documents, Vibar handed an envelope containing money to Villamor.

PASG operatives immediately arrested Vibar and and Dela Cerna for the bribe attempt.

But in an interview that same afternoon, Vibar argued that she was made to understand that PASG was asking P15,000 for the release of the shipment. However, they were only able to raise P12,000, which she tried to haggle with Villamor.

Vibar said Villamor allegedly asked for the money and invited her to go with him inside the office. She also said she was not aware that she was already being arrested.

Vibar’s statement was contrary to the statement of PASG director Ariel Palcuto, who said that they set up the entrapment operation after De la Cerna allegedly told him the cargo’s owner was willing to negotiate with P20,000 to have the cargo released. — Jasmin R. Uy, JMO  (THE FREEMAN)