Mayor sues CIDG cop for "protecting" crime

CEBU, Philippines - The mayor of Medellin, Cebu, went to the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas yesterday morning to file a report and complaint against an investigator of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 for allegedly protecting illegal activities in the town.

Mayor Ricardo Ramirez wants the dismissal from service of PO3 Arnold Bocayong whom he accused of protecting masiao, illegal fishing, drugs, and other illegal activities.

Ramirez denied he was just getting back at Bacayong after the policeman filed a case against him for the death of his head of security Edelberto Abao.

The CIDG said Bacayong accidentally shot and killed Abao while they were inspecting the public market in Medellin town last December 27.

A day after he was admitted to the hospital, Abao was declared dead.

Ramirez alleged that Bocayong used Abao as one of his collectors in his protection of illegal activities.

Ramirez told reporters that the live-in partner of Abao, Florisa Tuñacao, told him that Bocayong had been collecting money from persons involved in illegal activities through Abao who sent the money via money transfer service on a monthly basis.

Ramirez showed receipts from the two pawnshops that have money transfer service stating that Bocayong alleged received P3,000 to P5,000 a month.

Bocayong has denied all the allegations against him, calling them “pure harassment”.

Meanwhile, due to the delay of the subpoena sent by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Joel Noel Lawas, Ramirez went to the office of the prosecutor yesterday to get the subpoena for his homicide case.

But Ramirez was not able to get a copy of the subpoena because Lawas was not in the office.

It was last week when Lawas sent the subpoena to Ramirez through the local police ordering him to file his counter-affidavit within 10 days from receipt.

However, Ramirez said he has not received any such subpoena.

He said he is ready to present his evidence to refute the allegations he shot Abao, claiming they are good friends. (FREEMAN NEWS)