THE family of Enrique Fernandez III, allegedly kidnapped by five policemen of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said Wednesday, December 7, they have received reports that the five accused policemen are being allowed to use cellphones even while inside their prison cells.
The accused, Senior Inspector Ereneo Ramirez, PO3 Alejandro Ubanan, SPO2 Jojo Lim, SPO1 Alaindelon Tacubao, and PO2 Sangkula Hussein, have pleaded not guilty for the kidnapping.
All were former members of Cocpo's Crime against Persons and Property Desk (CAPPD).
"Naay nakawatag sa amo nga gagamit sila og cellphone sulod sa ilang selda. Magduda mi kinsa ilang gina-contact (Someone reported to us that they’ve been using cellphones inside the cell. We are in doubt as to who they are contacting)," Jean Fernandez, the kidnap victim's mother, said.
City jail warden Superintendent Ferdinand Pontillo said based on the policy, they do not allow inmates to use cellphones as these undermine jail security.
Pontillo said there are six regulated payphones in jail where inmates are allowed to communicate with family and friends outside the jail as part of their privileges but these are regulated, scheduled and under supervision.
Pontillo said further they would accommodate the Fernandez family with regards to the alleged report.
"We will appreciate if the family will coordinate with us or the regional office and divulge the number being used to aid us in verifying and investigating this allegation," Pontillo said.
Pontillo is also asking the family to coordinate with them by providing details of the supposed violation.
Pontillo maintained the five policemen received no special treatment and all their activities are monitored.
In a similar development, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Northern Mindanao has initially obtained information from Thoper Medrano, the alleged lookout of the October 23 abduction, who was arrested by police authorities last November 25.
NBI-Northern Mindanao head agent lawyer Alex Caburnay said during interrogation that Medrano denied his participation in the kidnapping but revealed possible persons who can be material to tracking down the missing Fernandez.
"Gi-deny niya nga apil siya sa panghitabo but naa iyang gibulgar nga mga possible persons who can be material. Naa siya knowledge but for us dili siya enough (He denied that he’s involved in the kidnapping but he will reveal possible persons who can be material. He has knowledge but for us it’s not enough)," Caburnay said.