2 EDSA ‘hulidap’ cops seek transfer to Crame jail

MANILA, Philippines – Two policemen charged for the P2.1-million “hulidap” along EDSA in Mandaluyong City asked the court yesterday to transfer them to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame.

Chief Inspector Joseph de Vera and Police Officer 2 Jonathan Rodriguez said they are responsible for jailing some of the inmates at the Mandaluyong jail, where they are being held, said their lawyer, Jason Cantil.

“There is threat on their lives because they are joined in their detention cell by some inmates whom they are responsible for placing them in jail,” Cantil said.

Their arraignment before Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 213 Judge Carlos Valenzuela was reset to Oct. 8 after Cantil argued that the robbery-in-band charge requires at least four suspects. The charge against the other police officers is still undergoing preliminary investigation.

De Vera, Rodriguez and six other policemen are also facing car theft and kidnap for ransom charges.

De Vera, former deputy commander of the La Loma police station in Quezon City, and Rodriguez appeared in the courtroom wearing orange “detainee” shirts.

Their accusers, Camal Mama, and Samanodin Abdulgafar, were also in attendance. Mama and Abdulgafar had their faces covered and were wearing sunglasses and jackets.

Meanwhile, Assistant Provincial Prosector Michael Henson Dayao asked the other accused – Senior Police Officer 1 Ramil Hachero, Senior Inspector Allan Emlano and Police Officers 2 Ebonn Decatoria, Weavin Masa, Jerome Datinguinoo and Mark dela Paz – to submit their counter-affidavits by 2 p.m. Friday.

Dayao also gave the lawyers of dismissed Inspector Marco Polo Estrera and alleged robbery-extortion brains Senior Inspector Oliver Villanueva until 2 p.m. on Monday to bring his clients to the prosecutor’s office and file their counter-affidavits. The two policemen remain at large.