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Tuesday, September 02, 2003
22 policemen in lineup cleared of extortion
CEBU -- In what police officers found ironic, 22 policemen from the Vice Control Section (VCS), Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (CIIB) and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) were made to line up before a one-way mirror at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 office Monday afternoon.
The lineup was organized by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 at the request of businessman Mino Disomundeg, who complained before the agency that PO3 Paquito Monterroyo extorted money from him.
Disomundeg Monday appeared at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) 7 office and affirmed his sworn statement against the policeman.
With Disomundeg’s appearance, the Napolcom 7 formally acquired jurisdiction on the administrative aspect of Monterroyo’s extortion case.
Monterroyo, who was assigned at the VCS when he was arrested last Aug. 12, allegedly brought along with him seven other men whom he introduced as agents of the CIDG 7 when he extorted money from Disomundeg.
None of the officers in the lineup were identified as Monterroyo’s companions.
NBI 7 Executive Officer Nelson Bartolome said the lineup was part of their ongoing investigation to identify the seven other men who were allegedly with Monterroyo.
Bartolome said Disomundeg attested to his sworn statement and answered clarificatory questions from a Napolcom hearing officer.
Bartolome accompanied Disomundeg, a van-for-hire and multicab operator, to the Napolcom office past 9 a.m.
He said the Napolcom noted why the Cebu City Police Office was too slow in taking administrative sanction against Monterroyo, despite the criminal complaint that has been filed against him.
A complaint for robbery extortion was already filed against Monterroyo and seven unidentified men before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.
The NBI 7 earlier sent a recommendation to Police Regional Office 7 Director Robert Delfin to have Monterroyo undergo summary hearing proceedings and be placed under preventive suspension.
Monterroyo said he was set up and alleged that Disomundeg was a drug pusher. He explained that he was conducting a pre-operation report in his dealings with Disomundeg.
He also said that a Tagalog-speaking NBI 7 agent mauled him, an accusation denied by NBI 7 Acting Director Reynaldo Esmeralda.
CIDG 7 Chief Edwin Diocos clarified to reporters that he merely let the NBI use his office and that he did not initiate the lineup.
CIIB Chief Paul Labra II admitted that having his men undergo a police lineup was demoralizing, but found it “necessary.”
“Even I would have felt the same, but it was needed. At least now, their names are cleared,” Labra told reporters.
However, VCS Chief Marvin Sanchez was clearly upset.
“If you refuse the lineup, it’s seen as a sign of guilt. So, we agreed. But then again, they still seem to be doubtful. It’s a case of damn if you do, damn if you don’t,” Sanchez told reporters.
“How will you explain that to your family?” he said.
Sanchez said they had the option not to submit themselves for the lineup, but decided to give in to the request to “erase any doubts.”
Though clearly embarrassed, some police officers managed to poke fun at the lineup.
“Mao ning klaro nga police lineup kay polis gyud ang nanglinya,” a policeman was heard saying. (This is the real police lineup - policemen as the ones in the lineup.)
They were surprised when they were called out of their offices and told to gather outside the CIDG 7 office.
Disomundeg refused to be interviewed by reporters and hid inside one of the offices of the CIDG 7, where he could see the policemen outside through a one-way mirror.
Bartolome said it was also possible that Monterroyo was not with policemen but just assets claiming to be cops.
“We still have to account for the other members of these units who were not able to join the lineup,” Bartolome said.
Some members of the special units were either working on a case or on their day off.
But instead of making them go through another lineup, Bartolome said he would just ask the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to present them the personal data sheets of the policemen with their latest photographs.
Labra said they only received the notice to submit themselves for a lineup Monday noon.
He was told that the NBI sought permission from Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who in turn asked CCPO Director Cecil Ezra Sandalo to cooperate.
“It’s true that they cannot compel us to go through the lineup, but we had instructions to cooperate so we complied,” Labra said. MEA/GC of Sun.Star Cebu
(September 2, 2003 issue)
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