Cebu cop held for extortion on woman inmate

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A police officer in Cebu City was arrested on Monday for allegedly demanding P4,000 to release a female detainee.

Police Officer 2 Joselito Laspiñas was caught in an entrapment operation by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas inside Plaza Independencia in downtown Cebu City.

Laspiñas, who is assigned to the Waterfront Police Station, wore his uniform when he was arrested around 4 p.m. He refused to give a statement.

Max Salvador, NBI regional director for Central Visayas, said a case of extortion was to be filed against the 51-year-old policeman at the city prosecutor’s office yesterday.

“The police force, in general, is good,” said Salvador.

“One rotten apple in a basket should be removed as it might spoil the whole basket,” he added.

Michael Detuya, a resident of Barangay (village) Tisa in Cebu City, went to the NBI regional office to lodge a complaint against Laspiñas who allegedly demanded P4,000 for the release of his live-in partner, Jennifer Lantaca.

Lantaca, a saleslady of ASC Fashion Accessories at 138 Wholesale Mall on Colon Street in Cebu City, was arrested by the store’s security guards for allegedly stealing three bags and two pairs of sandals.

Teodoro Saavedra, leader of the NBI team that arrested Laspinas, said the owner of ASC Fashion Accessories did not press charges against Lantaca, who is six months pregnant.

“The owner of ASC Fashion Accessories just wanted Lantaca to learn a lesson,” Saavedra said.

Since no charges were filed against her, Lantaca was released from the Waterfront Police Station detention cell around 7 p.m. on Tuesday.