Head of police unit that arrested Delfin Lee transfers to Cebu next week

MANILA, Philippines - The controversial former head of the police unit that arrested fugitive real estate magnate Delfin Lee will be assuming his post on Monday as Central Visayas deputy regional director for operations (DRDO) based in Cebu.

Philippine National Police spokesman, Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac said former Task Force Tugis head Sr. Supt. Conrado Capa will start with his duties as DRDO of PNP Regional Office 7 on Monday.

Sindac said as Capa’s replacement as Task Force Tugis commander has yet to be selected, the task force would temporarily be under the control and supervision of PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima.

Sindac also declined to comment if the PNP leadership would impose disciplinary sanctions on Capa for publicly challenging the order of Purisima to transfer him to Central Visayas from Task Force Tugis.

Sindac also declined to further comment on the matter even though he stressed that there was no gag order of Capa.

“Walang gag order. We just all agreed to let this matter rest for now. So this is my last text,” said Sindac in a text to the Star on Saturday.

Sindac was earlier quoted as saying that the PNP will defer taking action against Capa  who publicly denounced the police leadership for his sudden relief from his post.

Sindac earlier said Capa was given the chance to choose if he will stay or proceed with his new assignment as DRDO in Cebu.

“He was made to choose by our DP (Directorate for Personnel and Records Management) one more time if he wants to remain in Task Force Tugis or proceed with the assignment of DRDO of PRO 7. And he chose to pursue the DRDO assignment,” Sindac said.

Malacañang also earlier said Capa’s re-assignment to Central Visayas was a promotion and not a demotion as he had complained.

Purisima relieved Capa last Thursday or exactly one week after the police unit arrested Lee, president of Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp.

Lee was arrested last March 6 by elements of Task Force Tugis at the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Ermita, Manila by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by the San Fernando, Pampanga regional trial court (RTC) Branch 42 in connection with the Pag-IBIG housing loan scam where Lee allegedly used “ghost borrowers” for Globe Asiatique’s housing projects.

Lee had been a fugitive since the RTC ordered his arrest in 2011. Purisima justified the relief of Capa from the task force, saying it was not a punishment but a reward.