Aunt of drug suspect held for bribing cop

Desparate to seek the release of her nephew who was apprehended by authorities for possession of shabu, a buy-and-sell agent was herself arrested for trying to bribe the young man’s arresting police officers in Caloocan City Saturday.

Suspect Elizabeth Hispano, 32, married, of 709 Gen. Tirona st., Bagong Barrio, Caloocan is now detained at the Caloocan City Jail for violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code or corruption of public officials.

Investigation showed that Hispano went to the Caloocan City Police Community Precinct (PCP) 1 in Bagong Barrio and offered PO2 Harry Laxamana P4,000 to release her nephew, Danilo Adane, 20. Laxamana arrested Hispano on the spot for bribery.

Adane, jobless, of 206 Mabuti st., Brgy. 145, Bagong Barrio, Caloocan, was arrested by Laxamana and other PCP 1 operatives last May 4 at around 8 p.m. while playing cara y cruz with friends.

During the standard body search, police found a sachet of shabu in Adane’s possession. Adane was charged with violation of Republic Act 6425 or Dangerous Drugs Act and was detained at the Caloocan City Jail.

Laxamana told The STAR that Hispano was first "requesting" the lawmen to release her nephew, but when they would not budge Hispano suddenly took out bills bundled together and offered the money to him.

The P4,000 bribe consisted of two P1,000 bills, three P500 bills, and five P100 bills.

"I was surprised by her brazenness. There were about four other police officers in the office when she offered me the money," Laxamana said in Filipino. – Nikko Dizon