BuCor: 3 officials facing direct bribery raps surrender

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Thursday announced that three officials who were issued warrants of arrest for direct bribery have surrendered to authorities.

In a statement, BuCor said armory chief Alex Hizola, Corrections Officer Arcel Acejo Janero, and Corrections Officer Henry Escrupolo surrendered to authorities for purposes of bail of P60,000 for their temporary liberty.

The three were issued warrants of arrest by Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara.

BuCor said they were charged with direct bribery after they were arrested in September for demanding money in exchange for the release of firearms to a corrections officer.

Janero was caught receiving P6,500 in exchange for the issuance of short firearms in an entrapment operation. During interrogation, Janero then said that he would turn over the money to Escrupolo.

Authorities also discovered text messages between Escrupolo and Hizola on the issuance of firearms, according to BuCor.

For his part, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said this will serve as an example and warning to all BuCor personnel.

“We will not tolerate any wrongdoings in the agency and we will continue our relentless drive to weed the agency of undesirables,” Catapang said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News