PNP follow-up on Misamis Oriental: Both Hanjin and Mayor denied the alleged bribery and extortion incident

Miami
May 6, 2008
Story : PNP follow-up on Misamis Oriental: Both Hanjin and Mayor denied the alleged bribery and extortion incident

Based on the initial investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the controversy to both municipal Mayors of Misamis Oriental and Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. both parties are now saying there were no extortion and bribery attempt or incident happened.

P/Dir. Jefferson Soriano, Director for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) head of Task Force Tagovill said in a press conference that Tagaloan Mayor Paulino Emano already submitted statement denying that there was an attempt by Hanjin to offer a bribe money in order to pursue their project.

“He (Emano) explained that the Php400-million he mentioned was actually in representation of the cost of a project to extract aggregates from the Tagaloan riverbed,” Soriano said.

On the part of Hanjin, Soriano interviewed the President of Hanjin Philippines, Mr. Jeong Sup Shim and Hanjin Mindanao Managing Director Mr. Myung Goo Kwon to ask what really happened. The interview happened may 5, 2008 at the office of Hanjin in The Fort, Taguig City.

On the course of their conversation, Hanjin officials denied having made allegations of extortion committed by Emano nor Villanueva Mayor Juliette Uy. “They also denied that they offer bribe to the Mayors,” Soriano said.

Last May 2, 2008 Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered the PNP to investigate the alleged extortion of two municipal mayors and the bribery attempt of Hanjin to the Mayors. Puno also said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was furious upon learning the incident which was reported to her last April 30, 2008 in Cagayan de Oro.

On the affidavit of Mayor Emano he said, “I believed that I was merely misquoted or misunderstood in my interview with broadcast and other print media.

He also added, “There was neither bribery on the part of Hanjin nor an extortion on my part and that of Myaor Uy.”

Soriano said, even if the two denied the alleged bribery and extortion, they will still continue their investigation. “The Hanjin did not submit yet a formal affidavit, I just interviewed them. Our team will also get the affidavit of Villanueva town Mayor Juliete Uy.”

Soriano also said, they have to know who gave the information to the President about the alleged extortion and bribery, because they have to know why the person said there were such incident like that.

The Task Force Tagovill said that the investigation is not yet finished.