PRO-7 backs Digal in Ramirez controversy

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office 7 is throwing its support behind Provincial Police Director Erson Digal in the controversy involving Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez.

Deputy Regional Director for Operations Louie Oppus said the move of Ramirez to cut off logistical support to the police force in Medellin will not hamper operations of the PNP.

“Cutting off of logistic support cannot hamper the operations of the PNP in Medellin,” Oppus said.

Oppus added that PRO7 is even willing to provide legal assistance to Digal, as they did not see any lapses on the part of the provincial police chief. Oppus said Digal was simply following proper procedure in investigating a case “without fear and favor.”

Digal said the other day he does not need to apologize to Ramirez who was tagged as prime suspect in the death of Edelberto “Delbi” Abao last week. Abao was the head of the Mayor’s Squad at the mayor’s office.

He said they have strong evidence as well as affidavits that point to Ramirez. He also argued that while he said Ramirez is a suspect, the same does not mean that the mayor is guilty.

Ramirez said he will file administrative charges against Digal for treating him “shabbily” and like a “common criminal.”

The Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, Regional Intelligence Division and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the agencies that are working on the case, are now ready to put the witness under the Witness Protection Program.

“We are pulling our sources together and we encourage the witness nga isulti ang tinuod aron ang kamatuoran mogawas,” Oppus said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB) investigator SPO2 Kenneth Abella said that Medellin police chief Bonifacio Arriesgado violated the procedure when he did not inform his higher-ups about the shooting, which happened barely 200 meters away from the police station.

Abella said the media learned about the incident first before the higher headquarters did.

“If kita’y head of office, we should know unsa’y nahitabo sa lugar…he is still under investigation if tinuyuan ba or wa lang jud ma-reported or else he will be subjected for a pre-charged evaluation sa region,” Abella said.

The shooting ended with Abao a gunshot wound on his right leg. He was rushed to the Severo Verallo Hospital in Bogo City where he eventually passed away after surgery.

The death certificate, which was released days after due to the outstanding bills of the victim, states that he died of diabetes and hypertension.

The provincial police office will not have a hand in the filing of the charges against possible suspects, as the CIDG took cognizance of the case. The CIDG has yet to issue a statement in relation to its investigation. (FREEMAN)