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Friday, February 20, 2004
Trustee lying on woman cop: Montalba
By Stephen Capillas, Jenefer Besere
ACTING City Police Director Chief Insp. Antonio Montalba debunked claims by the suspected killer of PO1 Gemma Jatico that Jatico dealt in drugs and other illegal activities.
Montalba said he isn't fully convinced with the allegations raised by 18-year-old Alberto Beloria, adding that the suspect is facing robbery with murder charges.
Beloria surrendered to police in Kadingilan, Bukidnon province after he was convinced by his father.
He claimed in front of Philippine National Police (PNP) 10 Regional Director Nicolas Pasinos that Jatico allegedly failed to give him a cut in the earnings made from illegal activities like drug peddling and others.
He also mentioned that another police officer whom Jatico supposedly lived with had personal knowledge of the case.
A source said Beloria revealed that he was ordered by a police official to kill Jatico for still unconfirmed reasons.
The PNP 10 said they are withholding information pending the resolution of the case. But Montalba said he cannot take the word of a stowaway like Beloria.
"Besides he's facing serious charges and he has a pending arrest warrant on him. I also wonder why people like him are being tolerated within the police precinct. Trustees are supposed to be in prison only," he said.
Jatico's colleagues in the local police also doubted Beloria's word. SPO1 Levina Carreon, Jatico's friend, said she couldn't believe that the woman officer is involved in drugs.
"Dili ko motuo. Bakakon kana nga bata (Beloria) kay prior namatay si Gemma nangutang pa to sa ako og kuwarta. Kuwartahan unta siya kong naghimo pa og ilegal (I will never ever believe the kid is a liar because before Jatico died I lent her money because she asked if I had some to spare. If the charges were true then she wouldn't borrow from me)," she said.
Carreon said she and the others believe Beloria is making up this claim so he can avoid the charges against him.
Beloria used to be the trustee of Agora police precinct which Insp. Celso Montil used to head. Beloria faced charges of concealing deadly weapons but was bailed out and became an asset of sorts for the precinct.
Upon Montil's transfer to Cogon police precinct he brought Beloria with him. Later the suspect was asked to leave the precinct for doing "stupid things."
SPO2 Benjamin Baguisa, team leader of the Cogon police precinct mentioned that maybe Beloria was using illegal drugs.
"Maklaro man nato ang tawo nga magamit unya sa dinhi pa na siya sa Cogon mawala man panahon sa gabii (We can always determine those persons using drugs and there are times at night when he would suddenly disappear)," he said.
(February 17, 2004 issue)
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