Ombudsman suspends employee for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has issued a preventive suspension order against one of its own employees for allegedly trying to extort money from two policemen five years ago.

Juan Dita dela Cruz, a Records Officer II of the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Officers (OMB-MOLEO), will receive no pay for six months, according to the order.

The anti-graft agency’s Internal Affairs Board said it found the affidavits of complainants Senior Superintendent Pedro Geronimo Ramos and Senior Police Officer 1 Jessie Caranto to be straightforward and candid. The two policemen said Dela Cruz allegedly demanded money from them in March 2007 when they were asking for a certificate stating they have no pending cases.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said that “as an administrative officer assigned at the records section of OMB-MOLEO, respondent’s continued stay in office may prejudice the case filed against him.”

The suspension order stated that “there is this need to prevent respondent from using his position and the powers and prerogatives of his office to influence potential witnesses or tamper with records which may be vital in the prosecution of the case against him.”

Under the rules, the preventive suspension without pay shall be in effect for the duration of the administrative investigation being conducted, which should not exceed six months.