2 suspects identified; Cop's link to illegal drugs probed

CEBU, Philippines - Two of the five suspects who mauled and shot a police officer in Barangay Langtad, Naga Saturday morning were already identified.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said yesterday Naga police are now conducting hot pursuit operations for the possible arrest of those responsible in the mauling and shooting of PO2 Antonio Icalina.

“We’re also conducting investigation as to report that subject PNCO (Icalina) went to the area for illegal purpose. Once proven, we will not hesitate to mete appropriate administrative action,” Comendador said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

The CPPO director also said he will also determine first if the police officer will be relieved from his assignment at the Tudela Police Station and whether to include the Tudela chief of police for command responsibility.

Icalina, 30, a resident of Opao, Mandaue City, was assigned in Tudela after he was relieved from Naga Police Station in January because of his alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.

Early morning Saturday, residents found him lying bleeding and almost unconscious on the pathway near the national highway of Barangay Langtad. The police officer is allegedly often sighted in the place.

Icalina was allegedly on day off when the incident happened.

Sought for comment, Tudela Police Station chief, Insp. Edward Sanchez, said he plans to conduct a separate investigation as to know why Icalina was in Naga on his day off.

He believes Icalina’s trip to Naga was about something personal but added he needs to know why he was in a known drug-infested area.

“Akong ipa-imbestigar kung unsa’y nabuhat niya ngadto nganong giingon ana siya,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said he will be asking permission from Comendador to relieve Icalina to the provincial headquarters while the investigation is ongoing.

“Mas maayo ngadto aron kung duna’y problema about sa investigation dali ra niya matubag. Usa sad risgo para niya ang pag-biyahe,” he said.

Sanchez said Icalina’s service firearm was not recovered in the area where he was mauled and shot. — (FREEMAN)