Call center VP nabbed for ‘bribery’

CEBU, Philippines - An officer of the call center earlier raided by the Anti-Cybercrime Group was arrested for bribery yesterday.

The group’s chief, Senior Insp. Michael Vertudazo, said he arrested Ronaldo Honrales, the Vice President for External Affairs of the Interface Technophil Inc., after he allegedly offered P300,000 cash to the police office in exchange for the release of the 400 computer units seized during the raid.

The Anti-Cybercrime Group raided the call center midnight of Thursday by virtue of a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Judge Ramon Daomilas.

The call center, which is reportedly owned by an American national, allegedly duped clients into joining the Waka Network Saving Card. 

By joining, they will get US$100 worth of discounts and gift certificates from Walmart but the company allegedly give their customers hidden charges.

Two agents from the company executed affidavits about the alleged scam.

Vertudazo said Ronaldo appeared at his office Thursday afternoon and talked with him regarding the raid.

In the middle of their conversation, Ronaldo reportedly showed him bundles of money.

Vertudazo said he was not able to react for a minute and went outside to discreetly direct his subordinates to take photos of Ronaldo handing the money to him.

“With that, nagulat ko syempre. Gihatagan kog kwarta in exchange lagi sa computers nga na-seize namo,” Vertudazo disclosed.

After the transaction, Vertudazo said, he informed Ronaldo of his offense as well as his constitutional rights and put him under arrest.

Vertudazo said they received information that the call center’s office in Manila sent the P300,000 through a courier at 4 a.m. Thursday after learning about the raid.

It was reportedly sent by one of the company’s incorporator, Apollo Arcallana, who will also face charges.

Honrales was detained together with the four supervisors and team leaders of the call center agency who were arrested during the raid.

The four namely, Ryan Manalo, Dennis Cabaguing, Rudolph Espinosa, and Erwin Camarines, were allegedly caught in the act of transacting online with US clients, offering their dubious package deal.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 8484 of the Access Device Act were filed yesterday against Manalo, Cabaguing, Espinosa and Camarines.

The incorporators namely, Matthew Allan Bagley, the corporate treasurer; Hazel Weber, the corporate secretary; Jeanette Honrales, and Santiago Honrales are also facing the same charges.

Ronaldo was charged with violation of Article 12 of the Revised Penal Code or Corruption of Public Officials.

But the call center’s legal counsel, Glenn Villariza, said the money Ronaldo offered was actually for bail.

Villariza said he and Ronaldo agreed to meet and bail out their employees.

“Iya giingnan ang pulis nga, ‘Chief, para pyansa na.’ So, na-misinterpret ‘to sa police. Di to bribery. Wa siya mi-attempt nga ihatag ang P300,000. Kagamay anang P300,000. I-bribe nimo ang pulis sa P300,000?” Villariza said. (FREEMAN)