Cop who released arrested man being probed

CEBU, Philippines - A police assigned at the Talisay City detention cell is being investigated for reportedly releasing an inmate last Thursday without informing his superiors.

 PO2 Roelito Tano reportedly freed Uldarico Bekeler Ycat, 28 of Zone 5- 3046, barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.

 Tano, however, explained he did it after Kimberly Ann Malanum went to the police station and complained that Ycat's detention was already over the 18-hour reglamentary period.

 Tano said Ycat, before his release, had been detained for 41 hours already, hence, he discharged him without informing Supt. Henry Biñas, the police chief.

 Ycat was arrested last Tuesday after Renato Merlin, 43, a resident of Greenville, barangay San Isidro, accused him of taking his coin pouch and wallet which he left in his seat in a restaurant to wash his hand.

Merlin said he was alone in that restaurant which was on the second floor of a building where it is located, but a few minutes later, Ycat reportedly went up and left shortly after.

When Merlin got back to his seat his valuables were already gone. It was the restaurant guard who told him that Ycat was there just minutes ago.

 Merlin then invited Ycat to the Talisay City Police Station in barangay Poblacion, where he was detained.

 PO1 Rosauro Pasumala said Ycat reportedly admitted he took Merlin's belongings.

 He also reportedly said that he left the wallet in his house and tossed the coin pouch to a fence near the restaurant.

 With the assistance of the police, Ycat went back to where he left Merlin's valuables and recovered them, hence, the victim decided not to file a case against him.

 Ycat was however not off the hook yet, as the owner of the house where he had trespassed to recover the coin pouch is bent on filing charges against him for trespassing and malicious mischief for allegedly destroying a roof and part of the fence. - THE FREEMAN