Ex-cop to appear anew in court trial

A FORMER policeman earlier accused for robbery and threat is set to appear anew before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in February as trial continues.

The accused is identified as Police Officer 3 (PO3) Raymond Baguiohan Mendoza, 34, a former member of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB), resident of J.P. Laurel in Davao City.

Mendoza was charged for robbery, illegal discharge of firearm and intimidation of persons on January 2012, after he was arrested following a shootout with a bodyguard named Roderick O. Sayman of the Davao Weapon and Tactics Gun Store in Bajada in Davao City.

Judge Emmanuel C. Carpio of the RTC Branch 16 scheduled the proceeding for the accused in February 15, 22 and 28 this year following on its postponement last December 10, 2012.

The accused is expected to appear before the sala of Branch 16, as he earlier assured with his legal counsel, lawyer Neil B. Jao.

Carpio, in his order dated December 7, 2012, cancelled the hearing on December 10, 2012 and transferred it on February this year following the request of the accused through his counsel on the ground that he has to attend the wake and burial of her stepmother in San Antonio in Northern Samar.

The court also directed Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Antonio Alcozar and court interpreter, Michael Rodriguez, to testify and present the firearm under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory on February 15 and 22.

On the other hand, those witnesses namely: Rafunzel Dablo, PO3 Restie Tan and PO2 Neil Arellano were directed to testify on February 28. The court also directed the renewal of the subpoena to the witnesses for the prosecution.

SPO2 Joel Podador, Buhanging police investigator, earlier told Sun.Star Davao that this is the sixth robbery case filed against the accused, after he took the gun of a security guard Allen Fernandez Cornites on January 11.

It was alleged that he tried to steal the gun of a security guard identified as Roderick O. Sayman at the Davao Weapon and Tactics Gun Store.

Aside from those criminal charges filed against the accused before the court, the latter is also facing administrative charges with the PNP. (Ivy C. Tejano)