Truck driver arrested for trying to bribe cop

CEBU, Philippines - A truck driver who tried to bribe a policeman with P100 after he was flagged down at a checkpoint ended up in jail last Wednesday afternoon in Barangay Bulasa, Argao town.

Luis Carao Limbaga, 23, of Barangay Cali-ongan, Dalaguete town, was arrested by PO1 Brian Yosores of the Argao Police Station when Limbaga handed him the cash.

A team of seven policemen and three traffic enforcers were manning the checkpoint on the national road in Barangay Bulasa when Limbaga arrived driving a Mitsubishi Canter truck with license plate number GJX-567 loaded with vegetables.

Yosores flagged down the truck because Limbaga was also carrying passengers on top of the truck in violation of Republic Act 4136 or the Land and Transportation Traffic Code.

When Yosores asked for Limbaga’s driver’s license, the latter gave him a P100 bill instead which prompted the policeman to arrest him.

Yosores said Limbaga would later say it was the owner of the vegetables, Jerry Heredia, who instructed him to offer P100.

Limbaga reportedly said they are used to bribing policemen every time they are flagged down.

“Usahay P50 or P100 kuno pero wa siya mag-mention ug lugar kung asa basta naanad na kuno sila,” Yosores said in a phone interview.

Argao police yesterday filed a case for corruption of public officials before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Limbaga.

The temporary operator’s permit of Limbaga was also turned over to the Land Transportation Office in Carcar City yesterday.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said that Limbaga’s statements about other policemen receiving bribes from them were mere allegations.

“Naabtan lang gyud nga nadakpan siya and so far wa ta’y nadawat nga complaint kay kung naa pa ipa-investigate na nato,” Comendador said in a phone interview.

He added it is not surprising to him that arrested persons make up stories to cover up their faults.

“Despite our stand amo gihapon susihon ang report,” he said.  (FREEMAN)