Policeman accused of getting bribe

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman was accused of receiving cash from a cargo truck driver who committed violations in Barangay Mangga, Tuburan last Tuesday.

Tuburan police also learned that PO1 Michael Monticod of the Highway Patrol Group in Toledo City had allegedly been doing this for more than a week.

He also did not coordinate with the Tuburan police on the apprehensions he made. Two other complainants also appeared at the Tuburan Police Station with similar complaints.

Monticod was still in his uniform when he alighted from a Toyota Vios (XSP-270) he was driving in Barangay 7 and flagged down a cargo truck (KGF-479) driven by Jeremie Borja, a resident of Barangay Cogon.

Monticod then asked for the Certificate of Registration (CR) and the Official Receipt (OR) of the truck and Borja’s driver’s license.

Monticod then instructed Borja to follow him until they reached a secluded place in Sitio Langoyon, Barangay Mangga.

Barangay Mangga is about a kilometer away from Barangay 7, where the apprehension happened.

Sr. Insp. Florendo Fajardo, Tuburan police chief, said Monticod took his Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) and issued violations for lack of a seat belt and failure to include the canopy of the truck in the CR.

Monticod also advised Borja to prepare P3,500 for the two violations to be paid at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Toledo City.

But Borja offered P1,000 to Monticod instead, for the release of his driver’s license which was accepted by the policeman. Monticod allegedly returned the driver’s license and kept the duplicate copy of the TOP.

The incident was witnessed by Grecheneil Bicada, Borja’s companion.

Police immediately acted on the said negotiation upon report of Carlito Supatan, a resident of the said place and once a victim of Monticod.

Fajardo said that Monticod alleged he was heading to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to get a clearance when he stopped Borja.

“Tinuod nga naay violation but ang in-charge ana ang HPG na, ang amo ang pag-prepare lang sa affidavits sa pagkakaron ug pag-file og kaso,” Fajardo said in a phone interview. (HPG is handling that, we only prepare the affidavits.

Yesterday afternoon, Rosendo Elloran, another victim, also appeared at the police station to complain against Monticod.

Police are preparing a case for direct bribery against Monticod while his administrative case will be prepared by the HPG office. — (FREEMAN)