Ex-cop nabbed in drug bust, asks reinvestigation of case

The former policeman, who was arrested ahead of an active police officer for allegedly selling shabu during a drug buy bust in Mambaling last July 11, asked the court for a reinvestigation of his case at the Cebu City prosecutors' office.

The 34-year-old ex-policeman John Rey Catiri, through his lawyer Jose Alumar Limalima, contended he has the right to a preliminary investigation because he has no counsel yet at the time his case was taken to the prosecutors' office.

The other accused, PO1 Aldwin Vicada who allegedly connived with Catiri in the selling of shabu, reportedly fled from the scene of the crime but was arrested two hours later in his house at barangay Basak. The 31-year-old Vicada, in his defense, interposed an alibi insisting that he was not at the place during the buy bust, and denied any involvement in the illegal drugs trade. He accused Catiri instead of using his cellular phone in carrying out illicit transactions.

Judge Maamo noted that the two accused have different defenses and appeared to be antagonistic of each other, prompting him to grant a separate trial for the two, although they are indicted under one information.

The City Police vice control section policemen said they arrested Catiri after handing over at least 50 grams of shabu in a pack to PO3 Vilma Abayan, the poseur buyer, inside a taxi parked near a fastfood outlet in barangay Mambaling last July 11. - Rene U. Borromeo