Wanted cop nabbed at Crame

An active-duty policeman, listed as No. 2 in Manila’s most wanted, was nabbed by operatives of the Western Police District (WPD) right inside Camp Crame yesterday morning.

WPD’s warrant section head Chief Inspector Virgilio Dacara identified the suspect as Police Officer 2 Roel Renomeron, whose arrest was covered by a warrant issued by Judge Lucia Purugganan of Regional Trial Court Branch 54.

Dacara said Renomeron is facing two counts of rape filed by a woman he allegedly molested last July 10, 1999 inside his Tondo residence.

According to Dacara, the suspect was able to elude arrest by constantly changing his assignments from the Traffic Management Group, Central Police District, Camp Crame’s Custodial Service up to the Headquarters Support Service Office, where he was finally nabbed.

"Even his superiors were not aware that Renomeron is wanted for the crime of rape. However, he was immediately surrendered to us after we showed them the warrant of arrest," Dacara said.

For his part, the suspect claimed being a victim of a frame up instigated by a colleague who had an axe to grind against him.

"Pinag-initan lang ako ng taong ‘to. Siya ang nagsulsol dun sa babae na idemanda ako," Renomeron told the media.

The suspect even showed the media a copy of a motion for reinvestigation of his case. However, Dacara said he is only following the lawful order of the court.

The arrest of the suspect is in line with the order of WPD chief Director Pedro Bulaong to effect the arrest of at least 10 wanted criminals in a month upon the directive of Philippine National Police chief Director General Edgar Aglipay, according to Dacara.

The suspect was immediately placed behind bars with no bail recommended. – Nestor Etolle