Plaints filed vs BFP men for extortion

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation-7 has filed criminal complaints against a fireman and a non-uniformed employee of the Bureau of Fire Protection-7 detailed at the Cebu City Hall before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Joseph Ababon and Fire Safety Inspector Leonidas Binatero, Jr. were charged for violating Republic Act 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and for direct bribery for allegedly extorting P10,000 from former Sangguniang Kabataaan chairperson Manilyn Mar.

The respondents were arrested Wednesday afternoon for allegedly extorting money from Mar, executive manager of South Speak English Institute, Inc., an English school in Barangay Kamputhaw.

Led by Special Investigator III Agapito Gierran, the NBI caught Ababon, a resident of Inayawan, Cebu City; and Binatero, a resident of Buyong, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, after the transaction was consummated past 4 p.m. The arrest was done inside the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office, where the two were detailed.

In her sworn statement, Mar, a resident of Guadalupe, Cebu City, said the alleged extortion started on May 29, 2014.

Mar said that it all started when a Cebu City Hall team went to their office for the scheduled inspection for the application of change of address of their principal office. The said inspection was in relation to their school getting a business permit.

Mar said during inspection, Binatero recommended that they buy five units of new fire extinguishers and refill the existing seven fire extinguishers. The fireman then gave a contact number of a certain Michael because his store was allegedly accredited by them.

Mar said Binatero then told her that after she makes the purchase, she must present the receipt to him, so he can allegedly sign and continue processing their application. She said she paid P25,250 to a certain Michael for the purchase of the recommended items, which were worth P15,000 to P17,000.

After purchasing, Mar said she presented the receipt to Binatero, but she was told that they needed to replace their fire exit doors or just pay P30,000 for him to immediately sign the documents.

Mar said from P30,000 the amount decreased to P10,000.

Gierran said the respondents were arrested for conspiracy. The money used in the entrapment was allegedly recovered inside Ababon’s drawer.

Both Ababon and Binatero refused to issue any statement on the complaints they are facing.— (FREEMAN)