Cop pleads not guilty in perjury case

CEBU, Philippines - One of two policemen facing a perjury case in court pleaded not guilty during his arraignment yesterday, while the other did not show up.

PO3 Ismael Gandionco pleaded not guilty to the perjury case he is facing before the sala of Judge Francisco Seville Jr. of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 7.

PO3 Paquito Monteroyo, meanwhile, did not appear during the scheduled arraignment yesterday.

The two policemen were charged by the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Office for allegedly lying about the arrest of Timoteo Beronga on 2002 in a buy-bust operation in Cebu City.

Beronga filed a case against them after he was arrested and prosecuted for a drug offense which he claimed he never committed.

In a joint affidavit, the two policemen had said they arrested Beronga in a buy-bust operation in Cebu City on August 22, 2002.

Gandionco said he was the poseur-buyer and purchased a small heated pack of shabu for P100.

Beronga was charged in court for illegal possession and selling of shabu.

However, Judge Fortunato de Gracia dismissed the case because of the inconsistencies of the policemen’s testimonies.

During their cross-examination, the policemen said the buy-bust was a failed operation because Beronga did not receive the marked money after sensing that he was dealing with a policeman.

The anti-graft office said the two policemen connived in executing the false affidavit.— (FREEMAN)