Thursday, December 20, 2007 Female cop’s request for initial probe granted
THE arraignment of the policewoman arrested in an entrapment operation after allegedly bribing her fellow police officers did not push through yesterday after Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Ester Veloso granted her motion for preliminary investigation.
During yesterday’s hearing, the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman did not oppose PO1 Blaire Quezon’s request.
“A preliminary investigation is necessary to determine who will be charged in court for violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” read Quezon’s motion.
She is currently facing criminal and administrative charges for allegedly bribing an operative of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (Raidsotf) 7 for him to downgrade the charges that will be filed against a suspected drug dealer who was arrested in a buy-bust operation.
Quezon is banking on the text message of PO2 Roehl Patalinghug saying, “Ok na ang tropa, anhi na diri opis, ready naman kaha ang money, maayo kay wala pa mafile (The group is ready. Is the money ready? It’s a good thing that the case has not been filed).”
She argued that this message proves that the intention to corrupt did not originate from her but from her accuser.
The text message appeared to prove the story of lawyer Gines Abellana, who earlier narrated that the police officers demanded money from them, prompting them to give in.
Upon her arrest, Quezon disclosed that it was Abellana who told her to give the P50,000 to her fellow police officers, who arrested Cleofe Racaza, Abellana’s client.
Abellana is set to file cases for libel and for instigating a crime against the task force within the week.
Earlier, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) decided to take action on Abellana’s alleged involvement in the bribery attempt.
The move according to IBP-Cebu chapter president Briccio Boholst is “to protect the integrity of the legal profession.” (KNT)
