Medellin cop in hot water over road accident

CEBU, Philippines - He suffered serious injuries from the incident, but a senior police officer in Medellin town is not absolved from investigation for ramming a police car into a concrete lamp post yesterday dawn, albeit reportedly accidental.

SPO4 Carlos Condino was still in uniform when rescued by his fellow policemen from the Innova patrol car with plate number SJX-966. He was taken to the Severo Verallo District Hospital for treatment.

Condino reportedly left the police station at 3am and was heading back to the station when his vehicle rammed into the concrete lamp post and hit a mahogany tree in sitio Landing, Barangay Poblacion. Witnesses said the vehicle was travelling at high speed before it rammed into the post and tree.

The Innova’s front portion was damaged severely.

Insp. Manuel Singson, chief of the Medellin Police Station, said Condino was on duty when the incident happened. He said his men usually patrol the town between 3am-5am.

“Posible dunay gialarmahan unya paingon na opisina sa pagkahitabo,” Singson told The FREEMAN.

Condino was formerly assigned at the Daanbantayan Police Station before he was transferred to Medellin late last year after he was accused of indiscriminate firing while allegedly under the influence of liquor.

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez said he will leave the matter to the PNP to decide.

“He was undesirable in Daanbantayan unya naa na diri sa amoa and after the episode I had with Digal, I’ll leave it with the PNP,” Ramirez said. Then again, he said he will seek legal advice on the possible move of Provincial Police Director Patrocinio Comendador.

In a separate interview, Comendador said an investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch led by Atty. Julius Ompad has been tasked to conduct the investigation.

“All the angles sa nahitabo kuhaan jud og investigation,” Comendador said. — (FREEMAN)