COLONEL Lito Patay now heads the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Luzon office after his relief from the CIDG 7 last week.
Patay swapped places with Col. Rommel Ochave, who is a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1996.
Brigadier Gen. Debold Sinas, Police Regional Office 7 director, confirmed Patay’s transfer during an interview with reporters on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019.
Sinas disclosed that one of the reasons behind Patay’s relief was the recent raid conducted by the CIDG 7 against an online gambling operation operated by Chinese nationals in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City last Sept. 7.
Some 181 Chinese nationals were arrested after they failed to provide CIDG 7 operatives with permits issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
“Evolving platforms”
But after the CIDG 7 filed charges against them, Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor Ruso Zaragoza ordered their immediate release after he disagreed with initial findings that found probable cause to charge the respondents with illegal gambling.
Also, the Chinese nationals were able to present a Certificate of Accreditation to operate Customer Relations Service Provider as per Certificate of Accreditation issued by Pagcor.
“That was the reason for his relief. Di na ko mamakak para dili namo maghuna-huna (I won’t lie to you, so you won’t wonder),” Sinas said.
Sinas also clarified that the CIDG 7 is not under his jurisdiction as it is a national support unit. He only has supervisory power over their operations, he said.
It’s up to the CIDG if it wants to replace its officials as it has its own policies to follow, Sinas added.
The police official, however, admitted that he was impressed with Patay’s performance at the CIDG 7, especially when they worked together in various operations in Negros Oriental last year. (From AYB of SuperBalita Cebu, JKV)