NBI-7 Assistant Regional Director Augusto Eric Isidro denied a police officer tried to bribe him in exchange for the release of the four Korean nationals held for human trafficking.
Isidro explained that PO1 Alvin Khan Tuadles simply accompanied two other Koreans who tried to negotiate for the release of the four respondents in exchange for P2 million.
“No, it is not true. I never mentioned that Police Officer (Kelvin Kahn) Tuadles tried to bribe me. In fact, I never talked to him,” he told CDN.
Isidro said the other newspaper that carried a report on the alleged bribery attempt may have misinterpreted the facts.
Tuadles is under investigation after reports about the alleged bribery attempt came out in a local daily.
Tuadles allegedly offered P2 million to Isidro in exchange for the release the suspects.
Tuadles, who is assigned with the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) is now prohibited from joining police operations, said Senior Supt. Paul Labra, the RID chief.
Chief Supt. Prudencio “Tom” Banas, Police Regional Office (PRO-7) director, ordered an investigation to find out if there is any truth to the accusation.
According to the NBI agents, Tuadles introduced himself as a police officer and a bodyguard of a certain Peter Lim.
Isidoro said they are verifying the identity of Lim who is reportedly the local contact of the four arrested Koreans identified as Wongun Ji, Dong Jun Lee, Jung Hyun Kim and Gangil Jeung who aredetained on charges of allegedly exposing local women to prostitution.
The four Koreans were charged before the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office for violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
Since the alleged crime was committed in “large scale” or carried out by a group of three or more persons, the case falls under qualified trafficking — a non-bailable offense.
Assistant City Prosecutor Ruso Zaragoza gave the respondents until Monday, June 1, to submit their counter-affidavits and other evidence to refute the allegations.
Zaragoza is set to resolve the case within 15 days.
The NBI-7 acted upon the complaint of a Korean tourist who availed of the services of the accused for a tour package in Cebu City.
The Korean tourist, however, was surprised when he learned that the four suspects offered a woman for sex.
Based on their investigation, the suspects are operating an online site named cafe.naver.com. They allegedly offered tour packages which includes hotel accommodations in Cebu City.
However, they also offer local women for sex./SENIOR REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL AND CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON