Cop caught taking P20 bribe

For a measly P20, a Manila policeman is in danger of losing his job after he was caught by the Manila Police District (MPD)’s second highest official taking a bribe from a motorist yesterday.

Aside from being disarmed and his badge confiscated, Police Officer 3 Guillermo Sartin was ordered detained by Senior Superintendent Melchor Ramos, MPD deputy director for operations.

Ramos was out late Friday inspecting police checkpoints. He was inspecting a checkpoint at the corner of Taft and Ayala Avenues at around 1:30 a.m. when he saw Sartin acting suspiciously. Sartin caught Ramos attention because he wasn’t wearing a cap.

Ramos saw Sartin board a jeepney loaded with cargo as it passed through the checkpoint and sit beside the driver. Ramos then saw the driver hand something to the officer.

Ramos then confronted Sartin when he got off and ordered him to open his hand, which yielded a crumpled P20 bill, apparently in exchange for letting the vehicle pass without a security check.

Fuming, Ramos confiscated Sartin’s gun and badge, had him hauled to headquarters and detained. Sartin faces administrative charges of grave misconduct and improper wearing of uniform.