PRO-7 suspends two cops accused in rob-slay case

The Police Regional Office-7 recently ordered a 90-day suspension against the two Cebu City policemen who were indicted in court for the robbery of a lending firm and the murder of its owner and secretary last September 9.

City Police director, Supt. Melvin Gayotin, said he received Special Order 1145, signed by Sr/Supt. Alex Castro of the Regional Personnel Human Resource Development Division, suspending SPO1 Mateo Yanson and SPO1 Elmo Rosales.

Regional Internal Affairs Service-7 director, Sr/Supt. Rolenson Grejaldo approved last October 18 the special order, which PRO-7 director C/Supt. Silverio Alarcio also signed.

The suspension took effect last November 1 and will end on January 29 next year and, through this period, the two suspended policemen will not receive their monthly salary and bonus if there is any.

The suspension was the decision over the administrative case that was conducted against Yanson and Rosales for their allegedly involvement in the crime.

Yanson has been considered the prime suspect in the robbery of PRH Lending Investment, Inc., and the killing of its owner, Pilar Hernandez, 62, and her secretary Wevina Pancho.

Rosales, for his part, was implicated for allegedly conspiring with Yanson's alleged attempt to hide the gun being used in the crime.

Records showed that a day before the robbery and the killing, Yanson reportedly borrowed the gun from police "asset" Troy Diago, who was reportedly keeping the gun in his care.

Yanson and Rosales however denied the accusations and claimed that they were just "fall guys" because the police wanted to prove something even at the expense of their fellow policemen.

After they were charged in court and while they faced administrative cases at the RIAS, the two policemen were ordered transferred from their assignment at the Fuente Osmeña Police station to other units separately.

Yanson was moved to the Regional Security Service Group while Rosales went to the City Police Mobile Patrol Group. - Edwin Ian Melecio