Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Cops face theft allegations
Two policemen are in hot water for allegedly extorting money and electronic gadgets from a suspected drug user whom they arrested last Sunday in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (CIIB) Chief Paul Labra II has assured an impartial investigation of the case against the two policemen.
Only PO3 Ismael Gandionco, however, has been identified among the two policemen.
CHR intervention
The alleged victim, named only as Tan, has asked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to intervene in his case.
Tan allegedly had a pot session with a certain Berto last Sunday. When he found out that the powdered substance he and Berto used was not pure shabu, Tan refused to pay Berto for it.
Berto then allegedly called up Gandionco through a mobile phone, and the two policemen arrived and accosted Tan.
After talking with Tan, the two policemen allowed him to walk free after allegedly taking his mobile phone, I-Pod and P22,000.
Gandionco, who is detailed at the Fuente Police Station, denied the accusation, saying he never conducted an operation on the day Tan claimed he was arrested. He also denied knowing Tan.
“Nagpataka man lang na siya og panudlo kay gitudlo man gani niya ang foto ni (Chief Insp. Mariano) Batiancela (He’s just pointing fingers arbitrarily),” Gandionco said.
Recovered
Labra said there is a reason to believe Tan’s allegations because his operatives recovered Tan’s I-Pod and P5,000 in a follow up investigation.
Berto reportedly entrusted the gadget and cash to a friend in Barangay Lahug.
“With the recovery of the cash and I-Pod, this means there is truth in Tan’s allegations,” Labra said. (CPL of Superbalita)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 4, 2006 issue)
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