Lawyer, 2 others nabbed for allegedly bribing cops to release Chinese national

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (center) presents to the media on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, a lawyer (second from left) and his two companions arrested for allegedly bribing police officers for the release of a Chinese national arrested for human trafficking. (Photo from NCRPO)

MANILA, Philippines – Police arrested on Friday a lawyer and his two companions for allegedly trying to bribe lawmen with P1.2 million for the release of a Chinese national previously arrested for reportedly operating a prostitution den.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, in a press briefing, identified the lawyer as Joselito Vasquez and his companion as Huang Xiangfei, a Chinese national, and driver Meljohn Palma.

The three were arrested in an entrapment operation inside the Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) office of the NCRPO at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City at about 2 a.m. on Friday.

According to Eleazar, Vasquez approached the chief of the RSOU at about 9 p.m. on Thursday to offer P2 million for the release of his client Li Xuemei, who is one of the two Chinese nationals arrested on Wednesday for allegedly operating a prostitution den in a condominium in Makati City.

READ: 2 Chinese nationals nabbed for human trafficking; 6 women rescued

Police earlier rescued six Vietnamese women who were allegedly offering sexual services to Chinese workers in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).

Eleazar said Vasquez returned to the RSOU office on Friday but only brought P1 million cash. Police launched an entrapment operation, arresting the lawyer and his companions. Another P200,000 was also confiscated from the driver.

The suspects now in custody of RSOU will face a case for violation of Article 212 or Corruption of Public Officer in relation to Article 6 of the Revised Penal Code. /je