AWOL cop facesdismissal case

CEBU, Philippines - The policeman who has been absent without leave (AWOL) is facing dismissal from service and criminal charges for his alleged involvement in a robbery incident.

The Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Cebu City Police Office is now conducting administrative investigation against PO2 Ronilo Manuel.

The criminal complaint for robbery was also filed yesterday against Manuel, a resident of Barangay Duljo Fatima, before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office together with his friend, Benito Andres Abiar.

IMDB chief, C/Insp. Aileen Recla, said that she ordered Manuel to submit his written explanation against the charges that he is facing.

Manuel must explain his being AWOL, why he pawned his service firearm and his alleged participation in the robbery incident.

Recla only gave Manuel 72 hours to submit his written explanation.

Should Manuel fail to submit his written report, he could be dismissed because of the gravity of his offense, she said.

Recla said pawning his service firearm was a grave offense of Manuel.  Manuel was positively identified by the victim as the suspect in the robbery incident along R. Landon Street, Cebu City around 3 a.m. Wednesday.

CCPO Station 2 chief, C/Insp. David Señor, said that Rochel Cueco of  Bakilid, Mandaue City positively identified Manuel, prompting him to order his men to put the suspects behind bars.

Both Manuel and Abiar, who are now detained, denied the charges against them.

Meanwhile, another police officer is facing an administrative charge for allegedly punching a waiter inside a restobar along Osmeña Boulevard past 10 p.m. Tuesday.

PO2 Joseph Tabo-tabo, a traffic policeman, was also asked by Recla to submit his written explanation within 72 hours.

 Tabo-tabo was accused of mauling a waiter inside Dark Planet restobar.  He was off duty when the incident happened.  (FREEMAN)