Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
MANILA – The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Thursday said three of its officials have surrendered to authorities after the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 issued warrants for their arrest in connection with direct bribery charges.
In a statement, the BuCor identified the officials as BuCor Armory chief Alex Hizola, Corrections Officer 1 Arcel Acejo Janero, and CO2 Henry A. Escrupolo, who surrendered for purposes of posting bail bonds for their temporary liberty, which was set at PHP60,000 each.
Judge Abraham Joseph B. Alcantara issued the warrants after the three were arrested in September for demanding money in exchange for the release of firearms to a corrections officer.
Janero was caught red-handed in an entrapment operation receiving the amount of PHP 6,500 from the victim, CO1 Marvin Asoy, in exchange for the issuance of short firearms from BuCor Armory.
During interrogation, Janero claimed he was to turn over the money to Escrupolo of the New Bilibid Prison Escorting Unit, prompting another entrapment operation after the latter ordered the former to deliver the money to his office.
Escrupolo’s phone revealed exchanging text messages with Hizola for the illegal transaction.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said that this shows that the agency does not condone illegal activities perpetrated by its personnel.
“This should serve as an example and strong warning to all BuCor personnel who will not heed our call to reform. We will not tolerate any wrongdoings in the agency and we will continue our relentless drive to weed the agency of undesirables,” Catapang said. — Benjamin Pulta (PNA)
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Credit belongs to: www.pna.gov.ph
