Cop who escorts Chinese couple from crime scene may face probe

CEBU, Philippines - The police officer who allegedly failed to follow his superior’s instructions while responding to a shooting incident last week involving Chinese nationals is now at risk of facing investigation.

Police Officer 1 Carl Anthony Lee of Fuente Police Station has submitted his affidavit on the incident as part of the directive of the Police Regional Office-7 as well as of the Cebu City Police Office.

“And then gi-forward sa IDMB (Investigation and Detection Management Branch) and they have the jurisdiction already probably for pre-charge evaluation about sa status ni PO1 Lee right now,” said Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of CCPO’s intelligence branch.

According to the police’s report, after suspect Li Quing Liang shot the three diplomats inside the Lighthouse restaurant along Genral Maxilom Ave, he and his wife Gou Jing just casually went outside.

Policemen and paramedics were able to respond immediately, but it was not yet clear then who the gunman was as the two suspects left the cal. 45. pistol on a table inside the establishment.

One of the policemen turned over the couple to PO1 Lee, who was then reportedly manning the traffic, since they have yet to get inside the restaurant.

However, when the police were already able to identify the suspects, Liang and Jing were already nowhere to be found.

 According to the spot report, the couple allegedly invoked their authority as Chinese consul and instructed PO1 Lee to escort them away from the crime scene.

With this, the two together with Lee reportedly got onboard a gray Toyota Vios with plate number KEF-841 owned by the couple and went to their consulate office near Cebu Business Park.

“Fortunately, before the suspects were able to arrive in the safety of their office, responding police personnel were able to chase them and arrest the duo,” read the sport report.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Vios of the Chinese couple was already returned yesterday through the representatives from China’s Ministry of Public Safety.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, the director of PRO-7, said he approved the return of the vehicle since it was not used during the commission of the crime. —(FREEMAN)