AUTHORITIES arrested early Friday morning, September 6, a lawyer and two other men for allegedly trying to bribe policemen in exchange for the release of two Chinese nationals who were arrested on human trafficking charges.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar identified the arrested lawyer as Joselito Vasquez while his cohorts were identified as Huang Xiangfei and Meljohn Palma.
Eleazar said Vasquez offered P1.2 million in exchange for the release of his clients, Kuang Meiting and Li Xuemei, who were arrested in a raid at a condominium in Makati City on Wednesday evening during an anti-human trafficking entrapment and rescue operations.
He said Velasquez was arrested after handing over an envelope containing P1 million in the office of the NCRPO Special Operations Unit while Palma, the driver, was arrested after bringing an additional P200,000.
Six Vietnamese women who were being used for prostitution activities allegedly led by the two suspects were rescued during the operation.
The transaction between the clients and the suspects were being conducted through social networking sites.
Eleazar said charges of bribery or corruption of public officials will be filed against the arrested persons.
He said they will also seek the disbarment of the lawyer.
"Kahit isang bilyon pa ang ialok niyo sa akin o sa mga tao ko, mabibigo kayo. Hindi niyo ako mabibili," said Eleazar.
(Even if you offer me or my men P1 billion, you will be disappointed. You cannot buy me.) (SunStar Philippines)