2 cops face probe for not attending court hearings

At least two policemen are facing investigation and five others have been reprimanded by the City Internal Affairs Service of the Cebu City Police Office for their failure to do their court duties.

Five more policemen were issued with stern warning not to neglect their court duties.

The two policemen facing investigation were PO2 Reynaldo Labating and PO3 Fernando Toledo, who are reportedly the arresting officers in a drug-related case involving a certain Eric Serapre.

According to the investigation conducted by Cebu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, the two failed to attend their court hearing last January 18.

Comendador told The FREEMAN that the no-show of these policemen during court hearings negated the effort done by the police force in arresting their suspects.

He said he was not satisfied with their explanations, prompting him to recommend for their investigation for serious neglect of duties.

Meanwhile, of the five policemen who were ordered to explain for same offense, only SPO2 Alejandro Lopez of Theft and Robbery Section, PO3 Antonio Barade of Station 9 and PO2 Ramon Bolongaita of Station 11 have already submitted their written explanation.

PO2 Narciso Ababo and SPO2 William Alicaba have yet to make their verbal explanation before Comendador. -Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM