A POLICEMAN reported as missing in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental has been reassigned to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Police Executive Master Sergeant (PEMS) Reuel Piñero is “well and alive” and is undergoing the 14-day mandatory quarantine period before his deployment, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa said on Monday, August 17, 2020.
“For the information of everybody ,Police Executive Master Sergeant Reuel Piñero is in the National Capital Region where he is now assigned,” Gamboa said in a virtual press briefing.
“The regional director of NCRPO said that he is undergoing 14-day quarantine in their own quarantine facility. So Reuel Piñero is well and alive in the National Capital Region where he is assigned,” he added.
On Wednesday, Piñero’s wife Nelly said she sought assistance to locate her husband who went “missing” after being identified as a person of interest in the killing last May of broadcaster Rex Cornelio Pepino in Dumaguete City.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said Piñero was about to shed light on the murder and probably turn state witness when he was allegedly “picked up” against his will by high-ranking officials of the PNP.
The task force said a video showing Piñero in the company of other police officers before boarding a helicopter en route to Metro Manila from Cebu was circulated on social media.
"We have very strong reasons to believe that PEMS Pinero is now in the hands of higher PNP officials and for that we will seek a clarification from the PNP leadership," PTFoMS Executive Director and Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco had said.
Pepino was a veteran commentator and known critic of local politicians.
He was killed by motorcycle-riding suspects in front of his wife on May 5, 2020 in Dumaguete City. (SunStar Philippines)