NBI traps policeman who demanded P160T from drug suspects

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.