Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Provincial fiscal orders release of policeman accused of robbery
THE Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the release of a policeman accused of robbery with intimidation from police custody.
PO1 Jeremias Geromo’s continued solicitation for financial assistance for medical expenses was with basis, said Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Petronio Elesterio in his resolution dismissing the complaint against Geromo.
The resolution was approved by Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba, who also ordered that Geromo be released from the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (PIIB).
The complaint stemmed from a vehicular accident on the third week of October in Basdiot, Moalboal town in southwestern Cebu.
Police car
Rafael Niño Ybañez collided with a police car where Geromo was one of the passengers.
Geromo suffered injuries. Ybañez offered to shoulder the medical expenses.
According to the resolution, Ybañez gave Geromo an amount.
But from November to December, Geromo allegedly asked for more money from Ybañez thrice, with threats that failure to do so will mean his filing a complaint against Ybañez.
Forced
Ybañez was forced to pay a total of P2,500.
But it did not end there, Ybañez said, as Geromo allegedly came back for P10,000 more.
This time, Ybañez sought the assistance of the PIIB, which conducted an entrapment against Geromo.
But in Elesterio’s three-page resolution, he found basis for Geromo’s frequent visits to Ybañez.
“The frequent visits had something to do with the complainant’s obligation to the respondent,” the resolution read.
Geromo was also able to show a receipt that the injuries he sustained forced him to spend at least P10,000 in medical expenses.
Therefore, there was also basis to threaten Ybañez with a case if the latter failed to pay the medical expenses.
“The actuation of the respondent is not illegal. As an unpaid creditor, so to speak, he can demand payment from his debtor,” Elesterio ruled.
“Threatening the complainant with a case if he fails to pay or make the necessary reimbursement is not extortion,” he added. (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 21, 2007 issue)
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