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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
2 officers in trouble for meddling in raid
TWO members of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) might face administrative charges for allegedly interfering in a gambling raid in Ming-lanilla town.
Minglanilla Police intelligence officer SPO4 Ernesto Navales claimed that officers identified as SPO4 Ben del Soccoro and PO3 Junjun del Soccoro tried to stop them from arresting two illegal gamblers last Sunday.
The roster at the CCPO, however, showed that the only cops surnamed del Soccoro were SPO4 Eulalio del Socorro Jr. and SPO1 Roel del Soccoro, both assigned at the Waterfront Police Station.
Town residents
Roel is Eulalio’s ne-phew and both are reportedly residents of Mingla-nilla town.
Minglanilla Police Chief Ricardo Diola said that a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councilor earlier sought his permission to hold a tigbakay in Bara-ngay Tunghaan.
The cockfight was intended to raise funds for a barangay fiesta.
But since the fiesta is not held until Dec. 26 yet, Diola declined.
Last Sunday, however, concerned citizens reported to the police station that tigbakay was regularly held in the barangay.
One of the complainants was the owner of a licensed cockfighting arena.
Navales and his team went to the area and arrested Romeo Engbino, 49, and Danilo Pardillo, 40, for illegal gambling.
The others who were betting fled. Two fighting cocks were also left behind with their gaffs still attached.
But the two cops allegedly shouted at the raiding team and “arrogantly” told them to release the two illegal gamblers.
The two officers allegedly told the raiding team that a police colonel has already cleared the cockfight.
Diola said the two did not give the name of the colonel.
He said it was possible the officers just said it to get away with the illegal activity.
Sun.Star called the Waterfront Police Station several times, but was told that Eulalio, the desk officer, was either having lunch or had not reported for duty while Roel, a member of the miscellaneous team, was out doing follow-up work.
Clarification
Diola though, said that Eulalio paid him a visit Monday morning and clarified he and his nephew were not into gambling.
Eulalio told Diola it just happened that he lived nearby.
Diola though said they will bring the matter to the internal affairs division so a neutral investigator can decide who is telling the truth.
Diola said he has faith and confidence in Navales, whom he described as one of his most trusted men.
Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Maximo Calimlim has ordered his Operations Branch to submit a report of the incident to CCPO Director Melvin Gayotin.
Meanwhile, Navales’ team also arrested an allegedly drunken policeman from the Lapu-lapu City Police Station for allegedly pointing a firearm at a resident.
PO1 Candido Baring-que allegedly got mad at Teofilo Nadela, 42, for beating up the former’s uncle.
He then stormed Na-dela’s house and pointed the firearm at him, prompting scared residents to report to the police.
Diola said that if Baringque fails to provide papers authorizing him to carry the .45 pistol he used, they will file charges of illegal possession of firearms on top of the grave threats complaint. (MEA)
(December 15, 2004 issue)
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