Sunday, January 20, 2008 No cover up in police extortion case: Pleb By Annabelle L. Ricalde
NO WHITEWASH was the assurance of Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, head of the People's Law Enforcement Board (Pleb), which is investigating the extortion cases filed against three policemen.
Nacaya's assurance came after suspicions of cover-up surfaced when one of the suspects, Chief Inspector Michael Deloso was appointed acting city chief of police for several days last week.
A businessman accused Deloso, along with Superintendent Paciano Deloso and Police Officer 2 Joel Deloso, of extortion over a week ago. The three, who are reportedly not related by blood, denied the allegation.
Despite the Pleb case, Chief Inspector Deloso was appointed caretaker of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) after Senior Police Superintendent Antonio Montalba left to pursue a training program for senior police officers over a week ago.
Regional Police Director Teodorico Capuyan, however, defended Deloso's appointment, saying it was solely based on his being the next-in-command.
Nacaya said the three Delosos had yet to submit their respective counter-affidavits.
The councilor said Pleb may start hearing the case next week.
He also assured both parties that they will decide the case based on evidences presented.
For his part, Capuyan said the regional police hierarchy will abide to the Pleb's recommendation.
"If the Pleb says they (the three Delosos) should be dismissed, they will be dismissed," Capuyan told Sun.Star reporters earlier. "But the three can still appeal their dismissal from service-if that happens," Capuyan said. (Additional reporting by reports from DVA)
