Court clears policeman

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer who was charged with estafa through

falsification of public documents was cleared of charges by Judge Raphael Yrastorza of Regional Trial Court Branch 14.

Yrastorza found no evidence to convict PO2 Leoncio Canoy.

“Wherefore, in view of the foregoing premises, judgment is rendered finding the accused not guilty, thus dismisses the Information against him,” the decision reads.

Yrastorza said though prosecution may have proven the elements of estafa and falsification of public documents, the prosecution witnesses failed to connect the name of the accused to the crime charged.

“The court has scrutinized in vain the testimonies of all the three witnesses but there is no name of the accused connecting him to the complex offense of estafa through falsification of public documents, the defense even dragged the name of one, Te Munez, as the facilitator for the release of the vehicle,” the decision further reads.

In 2007, the accused was charged for allegedly defrauding the government by causing the release of one passenger utility jeepney then impounded at the Cebu City impounding area for violation of a city ordinance.

Agnes Labandero, clerk of Cebu City Traffic Operation Management (CITOM) and other witnesses said their signatures were forged causing the release of the vehicle in question.    (FREEMAN)