Mandaluyong sheriff nabbed for extortion

A Mandaluyong sheriff was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents Monday afternoon for allegedly asking P2 million from a rape victim’s mother in exchange for a favorable decision by the judge, who happens to be suspect’s mother-in-law.

According to the NBI’s Counter-Intelligence Division (CID), Ronaldo Felix Awid, 35, was arrested along with his father, Robert, a lawyer who also allegedly negotiated with the rape victim’s mother.

The rape victim filed charges against her own father last year, and the case is being heard by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 215 Judge Luisa Padilla.

An official at the NBI-CID, who did not want to be named, however, could not say whether the judge knew about the alleged extortion activity.

Before the incident, the father of the rape victim had filed a petition for bail, which was subsequently granted. The complainant’s camp then filed a motion for reconsideration to reverse the ruling.

The suspects then allegedly contacted the victim’s mother last week, asking for the P2-million bribe in exchange for a conviction of the victim’s father.

The victim’s mother then asked if she could pay the amount in installments. She then contacted the NBI to ask for assistance.

The supposed payoff took place at a mall in Taguig, where the mother brought with her P500,000 in marked money.

The NBI said the suspects could be charged with robbery and violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, with the Mandaluyong sheriff being a government employee.

The case will be filed in Taguig and the two suspects are currently detained at the NBI detention facility.