By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested an employee of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Central Office’s installation logistics service for alleged swindling in an entrapment operation in Quezon City.
CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicanor Torre III, in a statement on Tuesday, said the operatives arrested the suspect, identified only as “Noel,” inside Cramp Crame on Monday.
The operation stemmed from the complaint filed by a former police major who alleged that the suspect offered him a favorable decision to his case filed before the Commission in exchange for PHP20,000.
The suspect also bragged that he has connections with influential personalities, including former Napolcom commissioner Alexis Canonisado.
“It is a policy of the Philippine government, in line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft or corrupt practices or which may lead thereto,” Torre said.
“The arrest of ‘Noel’ is a warning to all violators performing corrupt practices inside the government offices that the CIDG is watching you and will catch you anytime soon,” he added.
He urged other victims of the suspect to file their complaints against the suspect.
“Rest assured that the CIDG is steadfast and relentless in catching all fugitives, criminals and violators of the laws. Don’t hesitate to report all crimes and abuses and your CIDG will do the rest,” he said.
The arrested suspect will be charged with violations of Article 315 (Estafa) of the Revised Penal Code for obtaining money through deceit; Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) for abusing his position for personal gain; and, RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for engaging in corrupt practices detrimental to the public interest.
“The arrest of one of our employees for soliciting bribe money is a clear violation of our mandate to uphold integrity and justice,” Napolcom Commissioner Ralph Calinisan said.
Calinisan said the suspect, along with five other Napolcom employees and two more individuals, is also a respondent in another complaint.
He said Napolcom will open an administrative investigation against the suspect and the seven others. (PNA)
