National Museum employees nabbed for alleged extortion

via CNN Philippines, 19 Aug 2019: Troubling news as two staff from the National Museum of the Philippines are arrested for extortion. The staff are in charge of issuing treasure hunting permits.

An entrapment operation on Monday led to the arrest of two officials of the National Museum who allegedly extorted ₱120,000 from a person applying for treasure hunting permits.

Philippine Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica said their office has been receiving reports since July against Ernesto B. Toribio Jr., head of the museum’s treasure hunting section, and Deputy Director General Angelo P. Bautista.

Belgica added the National Museum has no clear procedures on the acquisition of licenses and permits. This, he said, can lead to bribery from certain officials.

He said the PACC will be conducting further investigations on how the National Museum issues permits.

“Tuwing walang malinaw na requirement at magulo ang requirement [As long as there are no clear requirements, and the process is confusing], that’s what breeds corruption — ‘yun ang [that is is the] birthing ground ng [of] corruption.” said Belgica.

Source: National Museum employees nabbed for alleged extortion