Moalboal cop accused of extortion says town chief has grudge against him

The Moalboal policeman who was arrested during an entrapment operation the other day for alleged extortion activities denied the allegations against him and instead accused the town's police chief of harboring a grudge against him.

PO1 Jerome Geromo yesterday accused Moalboal police chief Gil Limosnero of harboring a grudge against him after they got into a heated argument when he complained of high-profile drug suspects allowed to roam freely by day and locked inside jail cells only at night.

Geromo was arrested the other day for allegedly extorting money from a bar owner in Panagsama beach, an activity he had reportedly been carrying out right in front of the Moalboal Police station since September of last year.

Cebu Provincial Police chief Carmelo Valmoria yesterday said that charges of robbery-extortion were filed against Geromo at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office yesterday. An administrative case will also be filed against the policeman, Valmoria said.

The entrapment operation was conducted by the Provincial Investigation and Intelligence Branch led by Supt. Juanito Enguerra after Rafael Niño "Diane" Ybañeza, the owner of the bar, told Limosnero about the extortion activities of the policeman. Geromo was arrested after he received the marked money, which consisted of four photocopies of P500 bills, from Ybañeza.

Valmoria said he will verify reports that Geromo had extorted money from other businessmen in the area, foreigners and drug personalities in exchange for the removal of their names from the police watch list.

Valmoria said he received reports that there are other businessmen in the area complaining of Geromo's extortion activities. He urged these businessmen to come to his office and file their affidavits to strengthen the case against Geromo.

The suspect will also be subjected to a drug test on reports he is a drug user.

Valmoria also said that a separate investigation will be conducted on Geromo's allegations against Limosnero. - Norvie S. Misa