PRO-7 chief orders probe of cops in alleged robbery

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 director has ordered the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Branch to conduct an investigation on the incident involving PO2 Marvin Sanson and PO3 Reynaldo Solante and his wife Christine.

PRO-7 director Lani-O Nerez ordered RIDMB, led by Senior Supt. Audie Villacin, for the investigation early this week as the controversy on alleged robbery involving Sanson and malversation of government property by Solante and his wife continues.

Nerez met with Cebu City Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador and Cebu Provincial Police Office director Jesus Gaquing for a briefing over the incident and subsequently ordered for the said investigation

Sanson, of the Fuente Police Station, was accused by Christine Uy-Solante of stealing P300,000 cash and three cellular phones from her apartment last week after she was alarmed by police for a high-powered firearm.

It was later learned that the firearm, an M16 rifle, is owned by her husband PO3 Solante who heads the CCPO’s bomb disposal team.

He was issued with the firearm for the sniping test during the inspection.

The CCPO will file a complaint for malversation of property against PO3 Solante and Christine while the latter has filed a complaint for robbery before the National Bureau of Investigation-7 against Sanson and SPO2 Rene Solante, also from the Mobile Patrol Group, who went with Sanson to search the apartment.

Both Comendador and Gaquing vowed to support their respective men but also emphasized that the issue will not affect the working relationship between CCPO and CPPO. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)