Authorities arrested in an entrapment operation two Taguig City government employees for alleged extortion.
A composite team from the Philippine National Police and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission busted Edward Buncab and Emma Robianes at City Hall Satellite Office in SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City.
The authorities conducted the entrapment operation following a complaint that Buncab and Robianes demanded P10,000 from a building permit applicant.
Taguig City Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano on Wednesday commended the office of PACC commissioner Greco Belgica and the PNP for the entrapment operation that led the arrest of the employees.
“I have immediately ordered City Administrator Lyle Pasco to conduct an inquiry and coordinate with Commissioner Belgica’s office to file the necessary charges,” said Cayetano.
The city chief executive lauded the anti-corruption body and expressed the city’s all-out support to make sure the full extent of the law is implemented and to continue working to make Taguig a model city for good governance.
“The City of Taguig has always been a benchmark for good governance. We will act swiftly as we do not tolerate any form of corruption in the city,” he said.
Cayetano also reiterated that corruption has no place in Taguig. He said those who may be engaged in corrupt activities will surely face the full force of the law.
The mayor called on anyone who has complaints to inform the Office of the City Mayor or the Human Resource Management Office of anybody conducting these kinds of activities.
“Rest assured your city government will not tolerate any of these activities. They will be held accountable,” he said.
Three months ago, a city assessor was arrested also during an entrapment operation after he was accused of violating the government’s anti-graft and corrupt practices.
The suspect, John Paul Mabilin, 32, was arrested inside a fast-food chain along the service road of Circumferential Road 5 in Barangay Ususan, following a complaint by Jonathan Ablang.
Ablang claimed Mabilin asked him to pay P100,000 in exchange for tax reduction.
Police said Mabilin’s modus consisted in bloating the tax amount to be paid by his client, after which he would offer to “help reduce” the amount.