Controversial cop gets 10-day salary forfeiture

The controversial policeman who was mauled and disarmed by four youngsters at a karaoke bar was penalized by forfeiture of his salary because of his various offenses.

The Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, through the Investigation and Detective Management Unit (IDMU) headed by Sr. Insp. Chyrel Ramos, forfeited the basic salary for 10 days of PO1 Jose Randel Buscato for his absenteeism, insubordination and other offenses.

Chief Insp. Aureo Sanchez, Pardo Police Station head, ordered an investigation against Buscato because of his habitual absenteeism and tardiness during inspections.

An in-house administrative investigation was conducted against Busato who was ordered to submit and explanation for his offenses.

But Buscato failed to explain to his chief the reasons for his absences and tardiness, prompting the investigator to impose a seven-day suspension without pay against him.

But when the investigation report and the recommendation on the penalty were submitted to the IDMU, Ramos found out that Buscato committed four unjustifiable absences.

Buscato reportedly committed absences on December 10 and December 22 last year and on January 14 and January 17, and even refused to obey order from the station chief for him to explain his absences, which was tantamount to insubordination.

 Because of this, the IDMU forfeited three more days of his basic salary.

Buscato was mauled by four members of a fraternity who disarmed him of his personal handgun at a beerhouse along Pelaez Street last month.

He claimed a group of youngsters attacked and disarmed him while he was responding to an alarm.

But witnesses told investigators that Buscato was drinking with a companion when he got into trouble with the other group inside the beerhouse.

They said Buscato reportedly slammed his gun on the table of the four youngsters supposedly to scare them. But the group instead mauled and disarmed him.

CIIB is still conducting investigation into the case to identify the perpetrators. — Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM