National Museum Employees Arrested For Alleged Extortion
NATIONAL MUSEUM – Two officials of the National Museum arrested for in an entrapment operation conducted by Philippine Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).
The National Museum of the Philippines is a place where the important cultural reservations, sites, and properties of the country are kept for restoring and safeguarding. It is under the Department of Education.
In 2018, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed Luli Arroyo-Bernas as the chairperson of the National Museum. She is the only daughter of the former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Recently, the PACC decided to conduct an entrapment operation on Monday to two officials of the museum. The agency has been receiving reports regarding the alleged extortion in the museum.
PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said they receive reports against the Deputy Director-General, Angelo P. Bautista and the head of the museum’s treasure hunting section Ernesto B. Toribio Jr.
According to the report, Toribio and Bautista allegedly extorted P120,000 from a person who was applying for a permit to treasure hunt. PACC commissioner said the museum has no clear procedures on how to issue licenses and permits to hunters. He said they will conduct a deep probe on how the museum issue permits.
“Tuwing walang malinaw na requirement at magulo ang requirement that’s what breeds corruption — ‘yun ang birthing ground ng [of] corruption,” said Belgica.
Ernesto B. Toribio Jr. denied all the accusations. He said permits for treasure hunting really cost that much.
Treasure hunting fees range from P3,000 (small), P5,000 for medium scale and P10,000 for larger areas. Hunter’s applications should have complete documents, site description, and their financial statements.
Based on the report, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the two museum officials violated the Anti-graft and corruption Practices Act. The National Museum hasn’t released a statement regarding the issue yet.
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