Monday, September 24, 2007 2 cops eye raps vs. trader for charges
TWO operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) are planning to sue a businessman for claiming they robbed him of cash and other belongings.
RID Chief Augusto Marquez Jr. told reporters that SPO1 Armando Ahmed Lozano got the affidavits of nine police officers from the Siquijor Provincial Police Office attesting that he was in the province when Jaymart Deodoro claimed he was robbed in Labangon, Cebu City early this month.
This includes the affidavit of Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat, Siquijor provincial police director.
Deodoro claimed that Lozano and PO2 Alex Hermoso, along with a certain Jay, approached him just as he got off a taxicab and forced him to go with them at 3 p.m. last Sept. 5.
When they reached the corner of Katipunan St., he claimed they grabbed his wallet containing P41,800 cash, his cellular phone and wristwatch.
He said he was very scared that it took him five hours to decide to go to the Punta Princesa Police Station to report the robbery.
Threatened
When news of the robbery broke out, Deodoro claimed there were police officers who threatened his family, telling them to go to the RID and deny they filed the complaint.
Lozano and Hermoso have denied the allegations, saying they did not know Deodoro.
Lozano also said he was in Siquijor at the time the said robbery took place.
However, Deodoro stood pat on his claim, saying he was familiar with Lozano as he was known in the area.
Complaint
Lozano believes another policeman he is monitoring is behind the allegation.
Police also learned that Deodoro was planning to file his complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman instead of letting the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division take charge.
Marquez said that if Deodoro files a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, they are now prevented from investigating the case because it would only duplicate the work of the anti-graft office. (MEA)
