Jeepney driver arrested for bribing cop

MANILA, Philippines - A jeepney driver was arrested for throwing money, allegedly as a bribe, to police officers manning a checkpoint in Binondo, Manila yesterday.

A police report said Ricky Alaw, 30, allegedly threw a P50 bill for Police Officer 1 Avelino Pacinos Jr. to turn a blind eye to an illegal U-turn. However, Pacinos arrested Alaw on charges of corrupting a public official and unjust vexation.

Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut has put up several warning signs at police checkpoints advising motorists to refrain from giving money to police officers manning the checkpoint.

He said it has long been the practice of motorists, especially those driving delivery trucks, to set aside “grease” money at police checkpoints for an unhampered trip. Truck and jeepney drivers carrying food products sometimes simply throw a P20 bill at policemen every time they pass a checkpoint, so as not to be stopped and suffer unnecessary inspection by officers manning the checkpoints, Yabut said. – Nestor Etolle