Carreta tanods deny robbers' protector tag

CEBU, Philippines - The chief tanod of barangay Carreta, along with his two colleagues, yesterday went to the Theft and Robbery Section to clear their names of accusations that they are “protecting” the young robbers who are preying on jeepney passengers passing by their area.

But the 16-year-old boy, one of the two minor suspects who were arrested for robbing a jeepney on M.J. Cuenco last Wednesday night, stood by his earlier statements and is ready to execute an affidavit to support them.

Ernesto Villaflor, 52, Carreta chief tanod, together with his fellow tanods, Alexander Regis, also 52, and Allan Obiña, 40, yesterday denied the suspect’s accusations, saying they are willing to submit themselves to a drug test because they have nothing to hide.

 In an interview with The FREEMAN, Villaflor said that he had been serving as tanod of the barangay for over 20 years and he could not do such a thing to malign his image.

Senior Insp. Bonifacio Garciano, chief of Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said the minor is very much willing to testify against the tanods who will be subjected to a drug test at the City Hall on Monday.

Both Regis and Obiña also denied the accusations against them, adding that the minor suspect, including his cohorts, are just perhaps mad at them because they are active in running against snatchers and other petty criminals in their area.

“Nasuko tingali na sila namo kay kami man gu’y mugukod kung manulis na sila. Kanunay man mi maka-timing ana nila. Kadaghan na namo na sila nadakpan ‘nya kay minor man lagi, ma-release ra sad,” Obiña said.

According to him, there are 20 tanods in their barangay and they are divided into two groups to do shifting from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. everyday.

Following their arrest last Wednesday night, the 16-year-old robbery suspect confessed that as their agreed signal, Villaflor, who they call “Tatay Erning,” would put on and off a flashlight three times to warn them of the police’s presence.

“Gisulsolan siguro na sila sa mga dagko na mao na’y isulti para maduot mi. Naa man tingali nanginit namo,” Obiña said. He added that the suspects are not residents of their barangay but of the nearby Cabantan St. , Barangay Luz.

Garciano said they will file a case for illegal possession of firearms against the minor after it was proven by the Department of Social Welfare and Development that he “acted with discernment.” He will be detained at the Operation Second Chance, a detention facility for minor offenders in barangay Kalunasan.

According to Garciano, the PNP Crime Laboratory declined to conduct drug test on the tanods as they only prioritize robbery suspects, so that the tanods will have to undergo the test at the City Hall.

The police official also added that if it is proven that the tanods are indeed providing “protection” for the minor robbers, the police will file cases for robbery and child abuse against them.

The two boys, aged 16 and 14, were arrested after they were seen fleeing after victimizing passengers of a 03B jeepney along M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Barangay Carreta Wednesday night. The third suspect, a certain “Leonard,” eluded arrest.

A .38 caliber gun with two live bullets, as well as two cellular phones and wallets, which were believed parts of the items they took from the passengers were recovered from the suspects’ possession.   (FREEMANNEWS)