PO2 Estiñoso is suspended for 3 months

The controversial policeman who reportedly used a police patrol car in going to a hotel with a woman was preventively suspended from service for 90 days.

P02 Junicar Estiñoso, who used to be assigned to the Mobile Patrol Group of the Cebu City Police Office, was placed under preventive suspension from December 1 to February 28.

Alex Castro, chief of personnel division of the regional police office, said it was Senior Superintendent Augusto Marquez, head of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division, who recommended for Estiñoso's suspension.

Estiñoso is under investigation for conduct unbecoming a police officer before the RIID, and Marquez described the case as grave with the probability that Estiñoso would be out to harass the witnesses.

A source at the police regional office service group, to which Estiñoso is now assigned, told The Freeman that he was already disarmed of his issued firearm, police identification card and badge.

Earlier, Mayor Tomas Osmeña wanted Estiñoso to be kicked out of the service to serve as sample to other policemen not to abuse government properties.

City Hall bought at least 30 Toyota Innova patrol cars last September to augment policemen's drive to maintain peace and order during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu from December 11 to 14.

Together with a woman, Estiñoso reportedly used the patrol car, with body number 004, to drop him off at a North Reclamation Area hotel at 5:45 a.m. last October 19. But the vehicle, driven PO1 Mc Stuart Balang, then hit a CTC taxi driven by Lourdeso Castro in going out of the hotel.

Estiñoso tried to convince police officials that he was forced to enter the hotel to use its comfort room because he had an upset stomach during that time. But the investigators rejected his arguments. - Rene U. Borromeo