Cebu police director relieved over explosives' case

CEBU -- Provincial police director Robelito Comilang got what he wanted.

He was relieved of his post the other day following an order by Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim that he be investigated for allegedly clearing a shipment of explosives intended for illegal fishing.

Comilang had asked to be relieved to "pave the way for an impartial and unbiased investigation" by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

PNP regional director Tiburcio Fusilero designated deputy regional director for administration Perfecto Bonjoc as officer-in-charge of the provincial police.

The probe stems from the complaint of Elpidio de la Victoria, project director of the Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission, against the owner of a shipment of materials for homemade explosives, a case dismissed by the city prosecutor's office.

The shipment, consisting of 50 bags of ammonium nitrate and 1,450 pieces of blasting caps, was seized by the Bantay Dagat on March 24, 1999 in Tangke, Talisay. The shipment was aboard an abandoned pumpboat.

Prosecutor Ivan Herrero dismissed the complaint of De la Victoria against Pablito Santos, who claimed ownership of the shipment, because De la Victoria had an authorization to transport explosives issued by Comilang on March 25, 1999.

But De la Victoria contended that Santos had no authority to transport explosives to Inopacan, Leyte at the time the Bantay Dagat seized the shipment because the authority issued by Comilang was dated a day after the explosives were confiscated.

The Bantay Dagat official personally brought up the matter to Lim when he visited Cebu.

Comilang said he is willing to face any investigation into the case which he said has caused undue damage to his integrity.

Comilang asked to be relieved of his post to avoid speculations that he might harass witnesses.

Fusilero and other police officials admired Comilang's move to voluntarily vacate his post out of delicadeza, now that he is being investigated.

"You rarely find an official who voluntarily asks for his relief. Others even go to court to hang on to their positions," said intelligence chief Lamberto Alilin.

Gov. Pablo Garcia believes Comilang is innocent, but said it is important that the matter be investigated so the police officer can have the chance to clear his name.

Comilang assumed his post on Nov. 19, 1998.

This is not the only case Comilang is facing. He is also being investigated for allegedly receiving P800,000 from Samboan Mayor Crisologo Abines in connection with the inquiry into the murder of former soldier Pompio Boreros, for which Abines has been implicated. Comilang has denied the charges.