Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested a man for trying to bribe them in exchange for the release of one of the three women who were earlier caught with P4.5-million worth of shabu in Barangay Maharlika, Taguig City on Sunday.
The three women — Rosnia Minalang Cauntongan alias Sally Pañasabellano, Junaila Alilang Maruhom and Lina Ahmad Grande – were nabbed after they sold shabu to a PDEA agent who posed as buyer.
The confiscated shabu were concealed in a 700 gram pack of tea, PDEA reported.
The three women claimed they were sent by a certain Stoleen Dimapuro to hand over the shabu to the buyer.
PDEA said Dimapuro initially wanted the client to deposit the illegal drug payment to a bank.
Director Levi Ortiz of the PDEA-Special Enforcement Service (SES) said the suspects may be members of the previously arrested group that hid illegal drugs in tea packs.
Later, a man named “Miguel” claiming to be a suitor of Grande was also arrested after he went to the PDEA office at dawn Monday and offered some P399,000 bribe money for her release.
Fumed over the bribe try, Ortiz immediately prepared corruption of public officials charges against Miguel.
Miguel claimed that he was instructed by the suspect’s family to deliver the bribe money in a bid to free Grande with the promise of allowing him to marry her if the deal pushes through.
The rejected bribe offer was seen in a video footage inside the PDEA Intelligence office.
Ortiz said PDEA men do not accept bribes, stressing Miguel’s bribery attempt was an insult to the men and women of the agency who risk their lives in performing their duties.
The agency is also investigating the 11 companions of Miguel who accompanied him to the PDEA office.
The three arrested women will be charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
PDEA is conducting intensive probe and follow-up operations to arrest Dimapuro. (Chito A. Chavez)
