AWOL police officer arrested for “robbery”

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer who has reportedly been absent without official leave (AWOL) was arrested shortly before noon yesterday for his alleged involvement in a robbery.

PO2 Ronilo Manuel, a resident of Duljo Fatima, went to the police station yesterday to clear his name after he was identified by Rochel Cueco, 22, as one of the men who allegedly robbed her past 3 in the morning of the same day.

According to police investigation, Cueco and her friends were standing along R. Landon Street when two men riding a motorcycle appeared and stopped in front of them.

The suspects allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and declared a hold-up and took away her bag containing important documents, a cellular phone and cash amounting to P4,000.

After the incident, the victim immediately reported it to the Cebu City Police Office Station 2.

Manuel’s batch mates immediately informed him that he was implicated in a crime. He later arrived in the police station wearing his uniform and was with his friend Andres Abear who was identified by the victim as the companion of Manuel during the alleged robbery.

Both men were arrested when they got to the police station.

Chief Insp. David Senior, Chief of the Cebu City Police Office Station 2, said that since both suspects were positively identified by the victim, they had to immediately arrest them.

Senior told reporters that Manuel has been on AWOL for a long time already from his unit- the Cebu City Public Safety Battalion (CCPSB) of Cebu City Police Office.

In an interview, Manuel denied the accusation saying that he was sleeping in his residence when the alleged incident took place.

“Nahibung ko nga gi aresto man hinuon ko nga wa man ko naghimo ana,” Manuel said.

He stressed that he will face the charges against him and he is confident that his name will be cleared in the future.

Manuel said that he was supposed to report to the Police Regional Office 7 headquarters to face an investigation for his AWOL status.

Senior Supt.  Noli Romana, chief of the CCPO ordered for an investigation against Manuel aside from the criminal charges that he is facing.

Romana said he will not tolerate such wrongdoings of his men.

Abear, who was arrested previously for possession of unlicensed firearm, denied the allegations and said that he has nothing to do with the robbery charges.—(FREEMAN)