CPPO orders separate probe vs. Danao TRS

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director Erson Digal ordered the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch to investigate the police officers assigned at the Theft and Robbery Section of Danao City police over the loss of the portion of the money that was surrendered by the mother of a suspected burglar last month.

PIDMB chief Rubin Cuizon has already tasked SPO1 Kenneth Abella to start the investigation yesterday.

Cuizon however said that whatever the outcome of the investigation, they will no longer file a case against the concerned policemen as the victim has already lodged a complaint before the Visayas Ombudsman.

''Ang special report lang ang among ipadala sa Police Regional Office kay na-file naman ang complaint sa Ombudsman," he said.

Neil Muñez, a seaman, has already reported the incident to the anti-graft office and has asked it to investigate the involved police officers.

Muñez, a resident of Barangay Looc, Danao City, said he lost $6,000 when Clint Casas and Alvin Mata burglarized his house at around 10 p.m. of November 28, 2010. The money was intended as payment for a parcel of land.

Mata was arrested after the incident but Casas remains at large.

Danao City police chief Eddie Recamara said Muñez alleged the TRS personnel did not put on record when Nella Casas, mother of one of the suspects, returned part of the loot money to their office on December 1.

However, the victim said only US$ 303 of the stolen US$6,000 was returned to him.

Recamara said he directed SPO2 Castor Laurel to explain why the amount returned was not put on record. For his part, Laurel explained he handed the money to TRS chief SPO4 Edgar Amit who alleged he received the money two days later.

Recamara said he directed SPO1 Allan Muñoz to investigate after he noticed an irregularity in the incident. The police chief also ordered to dissolve the TRS.

"Dili man kaayo gamit sa lungsod ang TRS besides ganahan ko nga sa opisina na lang mag-file og kaso on any incidents,'' Recamara said.

TRS has a separate office located some 100 meters away from the police station.

Recamara immediately relieved Laurel and Pantoja as patrol officers while Amit was transferred to the administration. (FREEMAN)