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Wednesday, October 15, 2003
NBI, PNP agree to join forces
SO IT'S joint forces after all.
The National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police put an end Tuesday to speculations there's a rift between two agencies conducting a parallel probe on the highly-celebrated Salabas-Suganob-Lumonjo kidnap-slay case.
In a press conference at the Provincial Administration Center Tuesday with representatives of the city and provincial governments, the NBI headed by agent-in-charge Lawyer Celso Estorga, Senior Supt. Vicente Ponteras, provincial police director, and Senior Supt. George Bajelot, city police director agreed to form a task force to jointly conduct an investigation on the kidnap-slay of former village head of Barangay Pahanocoy, Eleuterio "Dodong" Salabas and two others.
They were implicated based on the NBI's lone witness, Louie Gersaniba Sr., whose credibility was, however, questioned by the police.
Earlier, the two agencies were also reported to be at odds with each other after the NBI arrested last Oct. 3 Senior Insp. Clarence Dongail after he was linked to the murder of Salabas and his companions identified as 2nd Mate Ricardo Suganob, Maritime instructor from Cagayan de Oro City, and Salabas' nephew, Maximo Lumonjo, of Misamis Occidental.
The NBI earlier also insisted that Dongail, presently detained at the Bacolod City Police Office compound, be transferred to Guihulngan, Negros Oriental where the warrant for his arrest was issued.
However, the provincial and city police insisted that Dongail's case should be tried in Bacolod and should there be any appearance, it should be in a court in Negros Occidental.
Bajelot also questioned why the NBI collared Dongail without proper coordination with his office.
Dongail's counsel, lawyer Ernesto Treyes Jr., also filed an urgent motion to quash the warrant of arrest versus his client.
Agreement
Both agencies, however, agreed Tuesday to conduct an in-depth investigation to prove Dongail's guilt and leave the judgment to the court.
Estorga said the case is not yet solved as they are still ascertaining the identities of a certain "Dodong" and the 15 other John Does included in the warrant of arrest.
"Let the court determine the veracity of the allegations and let the court decide on the case," he said.
On allegations that two of NBI's civilian agents have links to detained suspected drug lord, Jose Kim "Boy" Cuadra, Estorga said this was not true.
He also belied Dongail's allegations that at least four vehicles used by the NBI during his arrest are owned by Cuadra.
"I also vehemently deny the reports alleging that there is drug money involved behind the arrest of Dongail," added Estorga.
He also clarified they do not have to coordinate with Dongail's commanding officer (Bajelot) to effect the arrest.
Coordination
On the other hand, Mayor Luzviminda Valdez said there should be a vigorous coordination between the city and provincial police and the NBI in solving the case.
Even NBI Chief Reynaldo Wycoco recently advised the NBI and PNP to create a task force and conduct a combined investigation of the case.
Valdez said there should be "no whitewash" in the investigation.
"The case is now in the level of legal remedies. There is no truth in the rumors that there is animosity between the PNP and the NBI," cleared Valdez.
Salabas' brother-in-law, former Bacolod Rep. John Orola Jr., thanked the NBI for taking the initiative in the probe.
Orola also appealed to the NBI and PNP to look into the matter objectively and to bring the real culprits before the bar of justice.
He further said that they do not outrightly condemn Dongail as they believe in due process of law.
"We appreciate the effort of the NBI. Dongail, however, is still entitled to benefit of the doubt," Orola said.
John Does
Ponteras, on the other hand, said they are giving way to the NBI to pursue their charges against Dongail and the 15 other John Does, some of whom are reportedly members of the police.
"We have come up with a common stand. We will support the effort of the NBI," Ponteras said.
Gersaniba, the NBI witness, was also earlier served a warrant of arrest by the police for qualified theft in Binalbagan.
Estorga turned over Tuesday to Gersaniba to the Himamaylan City Regional Trial Court, which issued the warrant.
Gersaniba posted P20,000 bail for his provisional liberty.
Salvaged
The three victims were reported missing on the evening of August 31.
Suganob's body was found near the seaside of Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City last September 2 while Lumonjo's was found the day after on the shore of Barangay Tapong, Pulupandan.
Salabas' body was washed to shore along Punta Buri, Ajuy, Iloilo City last September 19.
Autopsy reports Salabas and his companions were shot on the head.
(October 15, 2003 issue)
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