Osmeña defends new CIDG-7 chief on entrapment operation

Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday defended the new chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group following the entrapment of one of his men for allegedly extorting money from a suspect charged for illegal possession of firearms last week.

The mayor said that it’s not fair to put the blame on the new leadership of Senior Supt. Zoilo Lachica, knowing that he just assumed his post barely three weeks ago.

But after the entrapment, Lachica immediately ordered that SPO3 Reynaldo Matillano be grounded, saying he would not allow any of his men to be involved in extortion activities.

“It’s not fair to attribute to the new leadership yet. But let me say something that many people are afraid to bring out. CIDG has a reputation for extortion. But we have to give it a chance,” Osmeña said during his press conference.

He reacted to the recent entrapment of Matillano, a member of the CIDG, by the National Bureau of Investigation for alleged extortion.

Administrative and criminal charges were already filed against Matillano who is now prohibited from joining police operations after his entrapment.

Osmeña said that while the city can withdraw Matillano’s incentive allowance of P1,000, the City Hall cannot direct CIDG on what to do. The city government has been providing P1,000 monthly incentive allowance to city policemen.

“CIDG answers directly to Manila. It’s not subject to local chain of command. So the regional director can’t even tell them what to do. But we will monitor. I’m not afraid. I’m just expressing what other people are afraid to ask (about extortion activities that CIDG is involved in),” the mayor said.

Osmeña said the withdrawal of P1,000 incentive allowance depends on circumstances and the city’s judgment. “But if we feel that a person is not up to standard, we withdraw it with or without due process because an incentive allowance is not linked to due process. It is one area that the mayor has discretion in the application of giving.” 

The entrapment was planned after electrical contractor Ronnie Hernani was arrested by the team of Matillano on March 9 in Consolacion town for illegal possession of firearms.

Hernani said he was asked by Matillano to pay P70,000 in exchange for the dropping of charges.

Aside from Matillano, five other CIDG policemen also face preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication at the Office of the Ombudsman for their respective roles in the alleged extortion. - Wenna A. Berondo/MEEV