Traffic violator nabbed for bribing police chief

A buy-and-sell agent, seeking assistance in settling a traffic violation he committed earlier, found himself in deeper trouble after he tried to bribe no less than the police chief of Caloocan City Tuesday night.

Senior Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, city police chief, said he personally arrested inside his office Tomas Anser Lim, 47, of Waling-waling Street, Area C, Camarin. Lim had introduced himself as a member of the Bantay Bayan Foundation Inc., a non-government organization.

Mantele said Lim is being held at the Caloocan City jail on charges of corrupting a public official. The suspect has failed to post the P12,000 bail bond for his temporary liberty.

SPO2 Antionio Paras, officer on case, said Lim offered Mantele P200 to get himself out of trouble after police impounded his jeepney for operating with an expired registration at around 1:45 p.m. last Tuesday.

The police chief said he would try to do his best under the circumstance, but made it clear that he could not directly help him since the traffic bureau is not under his jurisdiction.

The suspect, however, felt that Mantele was simply waiting for a bribe offer so offered the police chief the cash.

Taking the bribe attempt as an insult, he arrested Lim right where he stood.

"This gives the entire police force a very bad impression. He (Lim) should be taught a lesson," Mantele said. — Jerry Botial, Pete Laude