Pubdate: Wed, 08 Feb 2006
Source: Freeman, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006 The Freeman
Contact:  http://www.thefreeman.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437
Author: Fred P. Languido
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

FOR ALLEGED HARASSMENT: EXTORTION VICTIM RAPS MORE CITY POLICEMEN

The complainants against a Cebu City policeman earlier arrested for
extortion again sought the help of the National Bureau of
Investigation after some of his companions assigned to the city police
Security Service Group allegedly harassed them for filing a complaint
against their colleague.

Charito Escobido yesterday filed another complaint against a group of
policemen allegedly led by SPO4 George Aninon for repeatedly harassing
them.

Escobido, the mother of suspected drug pusher Ariel, said that since
February 1 until last Monday, Aninon and some unidentified policemen
went to their house in barangay Pasil and confronted them for
reporting to the NBI and asked them to withdraw their complaint
against PO2 Jaime dela Cruz.

The NBI earlier arrested Dela Cruz in the act of receiving money from
Ariel, 37, whom he arrested along with a minor in Pasil last week on
drug charges. Dela Cruz, a former bodyguard of Vice Mayor Michael
Rama, allegedly demanded P40,000 from Ariel to settle his case.

Instead of paying the amount, Ariel's wife Corazon and his mother went
to the NBI and set up an entrapment operation, which led to the arrest
of Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz is now facing six charges at the Office of the Ombudsman
Visayas; extortion, graft and corruption, arbitrary detention, child
abuse, use of dangerous drugs and grave misconduct.
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MAP posted-by: Tom