Tining appears before CIDG to clear name in bank rob

Bogo Mayor Celestino "Tining" Martinez III, appeared before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 to clear his name after being linked to the P9.4-million Bogo Land Bank robbery last August 2.

Martinez earlier received an invitation from CIDG-7 to appear this coming Monday, but he decided to come earlier saying his schedule might be busy Monday as he has to meet with his barangay captains.

He had with him results of the investigation conducted by his local police and some other pertinent evidences to give to the CIDG-7.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, he urged his detractors to "stop talking nonsense" as the robbery he was linked to has affected the economic status of his town.

He also criticized the Cebu Provincial Police Office for hiding and not investigating Ceferino Serbano, the contractor who was also one of those implicated in the robbery.

CIDG-7 deputy director C/Insp Rex Derilo said he will evaluate Martinez' evidence and that his office may yet invite other people for questioning. He reiterated that Martinez is not yet off the hook.

Martinez was earlier implicated to the crime by Joel Sumabong, one of the 11 suspects of the robbery.

Derilo said he was tasked only to determine Martinez' culpability in the robbery but not to solve the robbery itself. - Flor Z. Perolina