Tom O asks new CIDG-7 chief to check into reports of scalawags

The new chief of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Group paid a courtesy call to Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday morning, an opportunity that the mayor did not let pass without asking a favor from the new CIDG head.

In an interview after the meeting, Sr. Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz told reporters that Osmeña asked him to look into reports on several CIDG personnel who allegedly are into anomalous activities.

While he did not divulge the names that Osmeña gave him, Corpuz said these personnel are alleged to be "protectors" and are involved in illegal activities such as the illegal drug trade.

Corpuz said the mayor has not given a timeframe within which he should complete the task but he promised to Osmeña that he would look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Corpuz said his office is now working on the proposal to relocate the witnesses of controversial cases who presently seek refuge at their office.

Corpuz said the higher headquarters recently tasked them to head the campaign against illegal gambling and because of this, more personnel will be detailed in their office.

But since the CIDG barracks intended for the new personnel are presently used as shelters by the witnesses and their families, Corpuz said they have no other option but to seek for their relocation.

Corpuz said they are currently coordinating with the Regional State Prosecutor's Office to find ways to relocate the witnesses and their families so they can finally used the barracks for the new personnel.

He said that they are now in the process of conducting a "threat assessment" on the security of the witnesses to find out whether they are now ready to leave the CIDG office.

Corpuz also said he would only continue the program left by his predecessor, Oscar Catalan, who had worked on the relocation of the witnesses by filing a court petition for their transfer.

He said Osmeña also sought his support on providing security for the upcoming ASEAN Summit in December, something that Corpuz said they would fully cooperate with.

The mayor reportedly gave Corpuz inputs on security matters for the summit. - Joeberth M. Ocao and Flor Z. Perolina