MANILA, Philippines—A policeman based in Camp Crame was arrested before noon on Wednesday after he reportedly tried to bribe five colleagues with five handguns that were found in his possession.
Police Office 1 Din Sibaro, 32, who is assigned to the Security and Protection Group (PSPG) of the Philippine National Police, was first apprehended by members of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 8 for carrying five unlicensed firearms on his motorcycle.
MPD Station 8 commander Superintendent Jimmy Tiu told the Inquirer that his men would not have known about Sibaro’s firearms if the straps of a backpack he was carrying had not snapped because of the weight.
“The backpack slipped off his back while he was riding on his motorcycle and fell on the [street]. Our operatives noticed the backpack and picked it up. They observed how heavy it was,” Tiu said.
Sibaro then identified himself himself as a policeman assigned with the PSPG and asked for his bag.
The Manila policemen, however, asked him to open it. When he did, they found four .45-caliber pistols and a super .38 automatic inside.
Sibaro could not present the documents to show that he was authorized to carry the firearms so he was taken to the police station.
When they got there, he offered the guns to the policemen if they would agree to release him.
Tiu told the Inquirer that he immediately ordered the filing of illegal possession of firearms and attempted bribery against Sibaro.
“He told me that he was only asked by the gun’s owners, who are from Kalinga Apayao, to [take care] of the firearms. But he could not show proof of their ownership and other documents,” Tiu said.