A POLICE officer is facing a criminal case in court for allegedly extorting P20,000 from the mother of a drug suspect in exchange for dropping the drug case.
Prosecutor Van Russell Inopiquez found evidence to charge PO3 Ritchie Saquilabon with violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, before the Regional Trial Court.
A separate criminal case for extortion will also be filed against Saquilabon’s alleged cohorts--PO1s Charlie Bilbao and Yasir Sauma–who remain at large, said Inopiquez. Bail is set at P30,000.
The case stemmed from the complaints filed by Supt. Renante Lambojo, who accused the three of also violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Employees.
Saquilabon was caught in an entrapment by members of the Counter Intelligence Task Force Visayas (CITF) at Sanciangko corner Junquera Sts. on March 19.
Saquilabon’s arrest led to the relief of all 39 police personnel assigned at the Parian Police Station in Cebu City, including the station chief, Chief Insp. Ramoncelio Sawan.
All the officers concerned have been made to undergo a 15-day retraining program in the Regional Training Center in Consolacion, on orders of Cebu City Police Office Director Joel Doria.
Saquilabon, together with two beat patrollers and a barangay tanod from Parian, allegedly conducted an unofficial operation last March 19 against suspected drug pusher Richie Labus. The Parian Police Station was not informed about the operation and the arrest.
Gloria Labus, 64, Richie’s mother, complained to the CITF national headquarters about Saquilabon’s alleged negotiation to release her son in exchange for money.
That afternoon, the CITF coordinated with Gloria after Saquilabon allegedly texted her to deliver P20,000 near a government office on Sanciangko corner Junquera St.
During the entrapment, Saquilabon gave four locations for the payoff, until he was caught on Sanciangko. The two beat patrollers and tanod fled.
Chief Insp. Kenneth Paul Albotra of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office has been acting as Parian police station chief.
The Parian Police Station covers the Barangays of Parian, Kamagayan, San Antonio, Lorega, Zapatera, T. Padilla and Day-as as its areas of responsibility. (GMD)