Cop faces raps for bribing ex-cop

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman is facing charges for graft and estafa after he allegedly asked money from a former policeman in exchange for the dismissal of charges against the latter.

SPO1 Laureano Manriquez, a resident of Barangay Tayad-tayad, Naga City, is now faces a criminal case for the violation of Sec. 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The complainant was Wilson Salinas, a resident of sitio Tangke 3, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, a former policeman who was dismissed from the service on March 6, 2006 for serious neglect of duty.

 Salinas said on May 19, 2006, Manriquez, the chief clerk of the Regional Legal Service Office at the Police Regional Office 7, assured him that he can arrange the dismissal of the case against him as well as to get his position back.

Manriquez allegedly asked him to produce P15,000. But Salinas only had P5,000 which he gave to Manriquez as a down payment.

A few days later Salinas handed over to Manriquez the rest of the amount agreed.

According to Manriquez, a part of the money will be given to those who will help to process the dismissal of Salinas’ case.

Salinas said kept on following up the case but found that there was no improvement. Manriquez also allegedly asked for an additional P3,000 from him intended for officials of the National Police Commission who suspended Salinas.

Salinas got fed up and went to the National Bureau of Investigation to file a complaint against Manriquez. An entrapment operation was set up to arrest Manriquez after he received the money from Salinas.

After the two met at the agreed meeting place and the money changed hands, NBI agents arrested Manriquez.

Manriquez chose not to file a counter-affidavit.

Deputy Ombudsman for the military and Other law Enforcement Offices Emilio Gonzales III set his bail at P30,000.    (FREEMAN NEWS)