Councilman caught buying drug suspect's release

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay kagawad (councilman) was arrested after he allegedly tried to bribe police officers to release a drug suspect right inside a police station in Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday.

Marlove Calip, 31, of Barangay 368, Zone 37, is now sharing the same detention cell with Florentino de la Cruz, who was first arrested by the police in a drug bust Sunday along Elias street in Sta. Cruz.

De la Cruz, who is included in the police’s order of battle against illegal drugs, was booked for possession and selling of shabu to an undercover policeman. Marked money and four sachets of what police suspect to be shabu were found in De la Cruz’s possession.

According to Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent James Afalla, Calip talked with Senior Inspector Glenn Gonzalez, who heads the station’s anti-illegal drugs unit, to release De la Cruz without charges filed.

Calip was in the company of De la Cruz’s relatives and the conversation was overheard by one of Gonzalez’s men, Police Officer 1 Richard Sibayan, Afalla said.

Gonzalez refused, and Calip then reportedly offered to give him P9,500 to downgrade the charge to possession of illegal drugs, a bailable offense.

Gonzalez decided to set up an entrapment operation. When Calip returned at the police station, he was immediately arrested after handing the money to Gonzalez.

Charges of attempt or conspiracy to corrupt public official are now being prepared against Calip, according to Afalla.