After criticism by media: Roderos stands by Comendador

CEBU - Police Regional Office-7 Director Ronald Roderos said that he is ‘very satisfied’ with the performance of Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador, Jr. this following an editorial that came out in a local tabloid describing the CCPO as incompetent.

“I am very satisfied of Sr. Supt. Pat Comendador’s performance. For the last two years as CCPO director, he is very good. In fact, he lowered the crime rate and has solved big cases in the city. He is a very good investigator,” Roderos said.

Roderos said that the CCPO is doing its job and in fact is on the verge of solving the two big cases — the murder of assistant city prosecutor Patrick Ian Osorio and Iranian student Ashkan Aminian.

Meanwhile, Comendador said yesterday that a minor was invited for tactical investigation yesterday afternoon due to reports that he could possibly be the assailant of Aminian.

The Freeman tried to get details from the chief of Intelligence Division and Management Branch, George Ylanan, but he refused to divulge any information as the minor, who was picked up by elements of Homicide Section, was still under investigation.

Comendador said that the 16-year-old boy is believed to be involved in over ten cases of theft, which were carried out along with cohorts or sometimes alone.

Sr. Insp. Michael Bastes, chief of Theft and Robbery Section, said that most of the theft cases where the said minor was involved are recorded at the Fuente Police Station.

Chief Insp. Arnel Banzon, Fuente Police Station Chief, said that they are yet to verify the said information and check their records if the said minor was indeed involved in several theft cases.

Comendador said that they received reports that the said minor or the group once took part in robberies at Juana Osmeña Extension, the same place where the Iranian national was killed.

Comendador said that they already have two names of probable assailants of Aminian, but they cannot yet divulge such pending strong evidences.

Roderos said that there is no race to solve crimes. Investigation must be conducted slowly but surely.

The PRO-7 chief pointed out that one cannot compare one crime to another, because every crime is unique. He explained that there are crimes that are done by first timers or amateurs or hired men. The appearance of witnesses will also help for the swift solution of the case.

The PRO-7 chief told Comendador not to be demoralized and continue doing his job.

Rob Victim Shot

A 20-year-old woman is in critical condition after two unidentified robbers shot her yesterday at 3:30 am in corner Rosales street and Juan Luna Avenue.

Pauline Denise Osorio, 20, who is from Manila, sustained a gunshot to her left shoulder after she refused to give her things to robbers.

PO2 Romer Barona disclosed that the victim and her boyfriend were walking when suddenly two men riding on a motorcycle approach them.

The victim’s boyfriend, Apurado Nacilla told police that the man riding tandem got down and tried to grab the bag of Osorio.

The assailant tried to scare her by firing a warning shot, but she would not budge and the next shot hit the woman.

Taken from the victim was her bag that contained a Mac Book, a cellular phone and identification cards.

The boyfriend rushed Osorio to the Perpetual Succor Hospital for treatment.

Barona said that the victim is not related to the slain assistant prosecutor, Osorio.

Taxi Driver Victimized

Earlier at 1:30 a.m. yesterday, a taxi driver lost money to two unidentified robbers on board a red motorcycle in F. Cabahug St., barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The victim, Matt Ronillo Mahilom, 51, told police that the robbers wanted to break down their bills. When Mahilom handed the money to them, they quickly took away the money amounting to P1,600 and immediately fled.

Police said that they would look into these two incidents if both have the same suspects. – with Bentley Naire Luyong (CIT Mass Comm intern)/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)