A POLICE officer in Bacolod City might possibly face court charges allegedly for "conniving" with a group of snatchers in Barangay Banago, in this city.
This after a dentist from the Cadiz City Health Office complained having victimized by him by extorting money from her in the sum of P1,500.
Dr. Sol Grace Gustilo, said last January 6, at about 7 p.m., she was onboard the one-stop Ceres Bus in going to Cadiz that when it passed by the road along Barangay Banago two young men, in their 20s, hurriedly joined the bus and without provocation, they suddenly snatched of her VT3 Motorola cellphone that her sister-in-law, who is based in Illinois, USA, gave her.
In an interview with DYAF Saksi program anchored by Bambi Yngson, Gustilo said, that she was fortunate that when the snatching occurred, she was secured by a police officer which she said had introduced himself to her being based in Manapla town who happened to have seated beside her.
"The bus stopped and the police followed the snatchers' way but I told him not to pursue because it's dark and dangerous," said Gustilo.
She added that when they tried to follow and catch the snatchers' direction they decided not to purse sensing that their life could be in danger, that because aside from the area was dark "which is actually a squatter area, the snatchers penetrated a very small passageway which we find it difficult to trace them should we wanted to pursue them."
Gustilo said the police assured her to be of help. The following day, January 7, around 8:30 a.m., the police called her up and said her cellphone had been recovered and he referred her to another and a certain police officer "Calidguid" with whom she transacted, paid with P1,500 and claimed of her cellphone.
The payment was last January 8, in front of the Rolling Hills where Gustilo said, she was on a relative's wake at said funeral parlor.
She said the said certain Calidguid was onboard a green Nissan Sentra.
Gustilo will meet Senior Superintendent Celestino Guara, OIC of Bacolod City Police Office.
Gustilo also contemplates to file a complaint at the Barangay Banago Hall.
Jailguard vs escapees
A criminal case of infidelity in the custody of prisoner was recommended to be filed against the jailer-on-duty during the escape of five inmates last January 11 by Noppo's Investigation Branch chief Police Inspector Robert Dejucos.
Police Chief Inspector Rico Santotome Jr. spokesperson, of the Negros Occidental PNP, said Dejucos has already submitted his recommendation to Noppo director Police Senior Superintendent Manuel Felix as to the filing of administrative cases, also in relation to the jailbreak.
Three of the five prisoners who escaped are now being accounted so far by the Silay City Police Station.
Santotome said Police Officer 3 Vincent Villena, the duty jail guard at the time of the escape, is facing the charges while his superior, Police Superintendent Jerry Bartolome along with Senior Police Officer 1 Arsenio Belonio, Police Officer 3 Rene Lopez and Police Officer 3 Rolando Suela were likewise recommended to be charged administratively.
The Task Force investigator, Police Officer 3 Rommel Pregil, as well as Dejucos and Police Superintendent Rosauro Francisco, task force members, have finalized their recommendation to Felix and Police Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, PRO6 director, for proper action. (George M. De La Cruz)