Friday, December 29, 2006 More witnesses v. public lawyer, 2 cops in drugs By Rhodamae M. Hernandez
MORE witnesses and an additional suspect are still being questioned at the Investigation and Detection Division of the Davao City Police Office, prompting the police to file a joint motion to withdraw complaint provisionally before the City Prosecutor's Office last Wednesday.
Investigation and Detection Division chief Joseph B. Sepulchre said the motion does not mean they are withdrawing from their complaint against PO3 Arnold Dechavez and PO2 Enrique Ayao, accused of violating the last paragraph of Section 5 and Article 211-A of the Revised Penal Code; Obstruction of Justice and violation of section 1(e) of Presidential Decree 1829 permanently.
"That is only temporary. There will be more witnesses. There was even one man that Ayao denied to have known but I have a document to prove that he was the one who arrested him. We have proofs," Sepulchre said.
Sepulchre said the witnesses are just showing up now after they knew of the cases filed against the respondents.
There are about more than five witnesses to execute their affidavits in addition to the three who have already executed their affidavits against lawyer Marlon Melodias and the two policemen.
"We just have to gather the witnesses and let them execute their sworn statements and after, we will re-file the case," Sepulchre told Sun.Star.
Sepulchre added that additional charges are also to be filed against Melodias before the Department of Justice.
"There are also people that will testify against him and it will really involve money. I can't specify the case yet but it's about money and our counting for that is per collection," Sepulchre said.
The two policemen and the Public Attorneys Office lawyer were dragged in drugs by no less than Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte before the Provincial Board session in October.
In another report, low ranking policemen complained of not including one police official mentioned by the witnesses several times.
"We are investigating on the cases and the affidavits of the witnesses. If we will found anybody who is liable then, we will file a case," Sepulchre added. (RMH)
