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Friday, September 16, 2005
Council to invite officer in extort case
By Danilo V. Adorador III
THE City Council will conduct further investigation into the botched entrapment against two drug enforcement agents accused of extortion before deciding whether it would ask for Supt. Rene Orbes' dismissal from the anti-drug agency.
Councilor Maryanne Enteria said the City Council would invite Superintendent Aurelio Trampe next week "to provide the missing link on what really happened inside the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office on August 22."
She said this is crucial in determining whether or not the councilors will pursue the pending resolution asking the national PDEA office to relieve Orbe.
Sun.Star Superbalita reporter Annabel Ricalde, who happened to be inside the PDEA office when the entrapment took place, will also be called in the inquiry.
Trampe headed the Aug. 22 entrapment team targeting PDEA-10 agents Isah Taurac and Otte Ongote, both allegedly extorted money from Moreto Jabagat, brother of drug suspect Eric Jabagat in exchange of downgrading the latter's case. Orbe as PDEA regional director also took part in the entrapment.
The entrapment operation against the two suspects, however, failed with Orbe saying a "miscommunication" took place, while Ricalde who was in the scene purposedly to interview the PDEA head said Taurac resisted and pointed his gun to Trampe and junior police officers.
In a report submitted to the City Council during its inquiry Monday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that Orbe told the entrapment team that a pay-off did not take place.
"We need to know what happened inside. Why was Taurac and Ongote not arrested? Where was the P10,000 cash given to the police officer by Jabagat? All these things will give us idea whether Orbe should remain in that office," Enteria said.
Not cowed
Enteria added that most councilors are still "puzzled" why Orbe released P20,000 from his pocket to the Jabagat family, hinting that money did change hands on two occasions in which Jabagat gave a total P30,000 to the suspects.
Meanwhile, opposition councilor Zaldy Ocon said he won't be intimidated by the veiled warning allegedly issued on him by Orbe.
The councilor reiterated this during his radio program in which Orbe was interviewed live.
During the interview Orbe vehemently denied saying to RMN reporter Jao Gumapac that he may be unable to stop his own people from doing anything if the Councilor continues to harp over the alleged extortion case involving one of the PDEA agents.
Though not mentioning names, Orbe may be referring to PO2 Isah Taurac, the agent identified as allegedly extorting P20,000 from the family of drug suspect Eric Jabagat.
Taurac was reportedly placed on suspension as a result of the case. As this developed Vice-Mayor Michelle Tagarda-Spiers said she is adamant in calling for the replacement of Orbe as PDEA chief.
Lapse in judgment
Ocon then called up Gumapac to verify whether Orbe did issue the warning and the latter affirmed this. In response, Orbe assured Ocon that he didn't make the warning and added that he only wants the Jabagat family to file the charges against those involved in the case.
The councilor said he has forwarded the matter to PDEA chief Rodolfo Caisip for investigation.
During last Monday's session Enteria questioned Orbe on why he didn't immediately bring Taurac who supposedly accepted P10,000 from Jabagat to the NBI laboratory for examination.
It was learned that the P10,000 was treated with fluorescent powder. Orbe admitted during the session that it was a lapse in judgment on his part, considering that the powder treated on the P500 bills totaling P10,000 would only be present in human flesh for 72 hours after contact.
For her part Spiers said while she respects the City Council's decision to review next week the proposed resolution calling for Orbe's replacement and declaring him persona non grata she has made up her mind on the situation.
The vice-mayor said it is time for the embattled PDEA-10 chief to pack up his bags and leave.
She said while the creation of PDEA, which originated from the Narcotics Command of the PNP is good its goal of stopping illegal drugs had not been fully achieved since the "big fish" eventually get away after the charges are dropped.
(September 16, 2005 issue)
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