Pubdate: Sat, 07 Sep 2002
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2002, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Jefferson Antiporda

OMBUDSMAN FILES RAPS VS ACOP, 9 OTHER COPS

The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday filed direct bribery charges before 
the Sandiganbayan against 10 policemen in connection with the release of 
six suspected Chinese drug traffickers arrested almost four years ago.

Acting Ombudsman Margarito P. Gervacio Jr. said the charges were filed 
against Chief Supt. Reynaldo Acop, former NarGroup chief; Francisco 
Villaroman; Supt. John Campos; Chief Inspector Ceasar Mana; Cesar Aquino: 
SPO2s Antonio Venture and Mabini Rosale; SPO1 Danilo Castro; PO3 Ferdinand 
Apuli; and PO1 Anthony Ong, all formerly assigned with the Philippine 
National Police Narcotics Group.

Gervacio said the filing of charges was based on the testimonies issued by 
Mary "Rosebud" Ong and Remus Garganera that the accused received P3 million 
and 10 kilos of shabu in exchange for the release of drug suspects Lu Shao 
Min, Wang Jin Luan, Jin Plao Wang Chua, Li Jiaz Hu, Ah Chun, and Eduardo 
Ling Hing Ong.

Records showed the suspects were alleged members of the 14K drug syndicate 
and were arrested last Dec. 6, 1998 during a raid at a house in Maria Clara 
St., Quezon City.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms and illegal drug trafficking were 
filed against the Chinese nationals after authorities confiscated three 
unlicensed firearms, 29.8 grams of shabu and other drug paraphernalia from 
the suspects.

Quezon City assistant prosecutor Eliodoro Lara, however, dismissed the case 
against the Chinese nationals after arresting officers failed to appear in 
the scheduled hearings.

Ong testified on Sept. 26, 2001 that she met a certain Chong Hui Ming in 
Hong Kong who offered P3 million in exchange for the suspects' release.

Ong said she was the intermediary during the negotiations for the Chinese 
nationals' release. Garganera testified that he was the one who withdrew 
the P3 million from Metrobank and gave the money intended for the Chinese 
nationals' release to Villaroman.

Garganera also said that Campos asked for 10 kilos of shabu in addition to 
the P3 million. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth