Cop praised in Noy’s SONA turns down bribe

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City policeman who was commended by President Aquino in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) was once again in the limelight after turning down a bribe from two men arrested for alleged robbery.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano lauded Police Officer 2 Dondon Sultan and Police Officer 1 Silverio Cueva yesterday for refusing P1,000 allegedly offered to them by suspected robbers they arrested Wednesday afternoon.

“They did not take the offer and instead brought them to the police station,” said Albano.

Sultan earlier hit the headlines after the President himself mentioned him in his latest SONA. Aquino lauded Sultan’s act of kindness when he changed a busted tire on a car and helped its owner bring the vehicle to a mechanic.

Sultan and Cuevo arrested suspects Michael Sorbito, 21; and Edcen Ong, 25, at the corner of Scout Alcaraz and Speaker Perez streets in Barangay Maharlika as the motorcycle they were riding did not have any license plate, said QCPD Station 1 commander Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman.

Two .38 caliber revolvers, a Samsung S3 cell phone and an iPhone 5 were confiscated from the suspects.

Two women later went to the QCPD Station 1, claiming they were robbed by four men.

Klea Mares Hofidera, 27, said she lost her iPhone 5 to the robbers while Celina Reyes, 27, said she was robbed of her Samsung S3 and P10,000 cash.

Both phones matched those that were recovered from the suspects, De Guzman said.

The police officer said the suspects had outstanding warrants in Manila and Caloocan courts.

He said they learned that the group had a safehouse in Pandacan, where seven ladies’ bags, two laptop bags, and car documents were recovered.