SC upholds conviction of Manila cops for robbery

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the conviction of two police officers from Manila who were found guilty of robbery by extortion.

Former Police Officer 2 Ireneo Sosas Jr. and Senior Police Officer 3 Ariel Salvador will then face up to eight years of imprisonment. 

“Law enforcement officers who abuse their authority to intimidate persons under their custody for money are guilty of robbery by extortion,” the SC said.

The high court denied the petitions  Sosas and Salvador challenging the decision and the resolutions of the lower courts convicting them of robbery. 

The information for robbery against Sosas and Salvador was first filed by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices following a complaint from Janith Arbuez. 

Arbuez, a salesperson at a cellphone shop in Isetann Mall, Manila, alleged that respondent cop Sosas escorted her from the store to the mall’s administrative office to report her sale of stolen items. 

According to the complaint filed before the Ombudsman, Sosas then brought Arbuez to the police station where she was led to a room with fellow cop, Salvador. Sosas subsequently suggested that Arbuez would not face any criminal charges for violating the Anti-Fencing Law if she provided the officers cash amounting to P20,000.

The complaintant Arbuez said she negotiated for a lower amount. However, Sosas said he would only agree if they will engage in a romantic relationship.

Arbuez later declined and contacted her sister-in-law to deliver the money requested by the cop to the police station.

Arbuez was released the following day after Sosas received the funds from her sister-in-law. She was in police custody for almost 18 hours.

Sosas assured the complainant that no further complaint would be lodged against her.

Salvador previously submitted a Motion to Dismiss the Charge to the Ombudsman. He asserted that the associated administrative case against him had been dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Sosas, on the other hand, underwent arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

The motion was later rejected and Salvador underwent arraignment where he pleaded not