Cop insisted on rescuing blasting paraphernalia?

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Erson Digal has directed the chief of police of Tabuelan town to investigate an incident involving a policeman who allegedly insisted on bringing on board his vehicle explosive paraphernalia that came from a vehicle that went ablaze while traversing the town.

The incident happened last Wednesday morning when a vehicle carrying explosive paraphernalia, including ammonium nitrate and blasting caps, went ablaze reportedly because of electrical grounding. The vehicle caught fire while traversing sitio Kampatok, Barangay Dalid, Tabuelan at approximately 7:30 am.

A witness told policemen that the driver was desperately unloading his cargo from the burning vehicle when the policeman in question, identified as SPO1 Camilo Abaquita, arrived and “strongly volunteered” on carrying the sacks on board his vehicle. Some bystanders at the area reportedly helped in carrying the sacks.

Abaquita is assigned at the neighboring town of Tuburan, which further fueled suspicions of his presence in Tabuelan.

Even members of the Tabuelan police who responded to the incident reportedly wanted the salvaged items loaded unto their truck, but Abaquita allegedly insisted to use his personal vehicle.

“Namugos man daw ni si Abaquita nga isakay sa iyang sakyanan. Ang pulis gani nga ni-responde ingon nga sa ila lang patrol isakay…ipa-imbistigar jud ko ni kay basin naay nagpaluyo nga mga pulis ani,” Digal said.

Digal said that delivery of goods of the same nature as those of explosive paraphernalia is supposed to be escorted by police officers, as blasting caps and ammonium nitrate could be used to create explosives for illegal fishing.

When firemen arrived at the area, the driver of the vehicle that went ablaze was already missing.

Responding policemen later found out that one sack of ammonium nitrate, two bags of blasting caps, and one ice bucket containing unknown goods were already missing. It was, however, unclear if they had prior knowledge of the inventory of the goods to declare items missing.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Tabuelan police chief Sr. Insp. Florendo Fajardo said Abaquita actually brought the salvaged items to their police station, but refused to further comment on the issue pending investigation. 

Fajardo said he will direct the policemen who responded to the incident to execute affidavits relative to the incident. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)