Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) yesterday arrested a policeman who allegedly demanded P160,000 in exchange for the dropping of charges against three persons accused of gun and drug charges.
PO2 Leopoldo Palconit Jr. of the Liloan police was arrested in an entrapment operation at the Mandaue City Palace of Justice yesterday afternoon.
Charges of direct bribery are set to be filed against Palconit before the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office.
NBI-7 agent Bernard dela Cruz said the policeman allegedly promised not to file a complaint for illegal possession of firearms against Jeppherson Manongas and another policeman, and to drop drug charges against Dennis Sarmiento and Ivoney Capito in exchange for P160,000.
The amount was reduced to P60,000 and was supposed to be given at the Mandaue Palace of Justice.
Manongas, however, persuaded Palconit and another policeman to accept partial payment of P20,000.
About 2 p.m. yesterday, Manongas and Palconit met at the Palace of Justice of Mandaue City where the money was given.
NBI-7 agents then arrested the policeman.
Recovered from Palconit was the P20,000 cash and a .45 pistol with three magazines of 15 live bullets.