Cleared security guard to sue police

CEBU, Philippines - The security guard arrested over the disappearance of P1.6 million fund of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated is fighting back.

After being detained for 13 days for a crime he said he did not commit, Joselyndo Jabagat will file a case against the police for his arrest and detention.

Jabagat’s lawyer, Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, said his client decided to file charges against those policemen who arrested him for theft without basis.

Dalawampu said they initially planned to file administrative and criminal charges against the police.

But she said they would also file a damage suit against the police for bringing shame to Jabagat’s family.

But the Cebu City Police Office still believes that Jabagat had a hand in the disappearance of the SFI fund despite the dismissal by the City Prosecutor’s Office of the qualified theft complaint they filed against Jabagat.

Inspector Rolando Pinili, chief of the CCPO Theft and Robbery Section, said they welcome Jabagat’s plan to file countercharges against them.

“Ila man sad na katu-ngod ug ato nang irespeto (It’s their right (to file a case) and we will respect that),” he told The FREEMAN. 

 Dalawampu is helping Jabagat find another job after he decided to stop working as security guard following his experience.

While taking time to recover from his “traumatic experience,” Jabagat is currently staying home with his family.

His wife, Marilyn, works as a casher in a canteen at IT Park.

Despite Jabagat’s insistence of innocence in the burglary in the dawn of January 16, Buenafe said they are currently gathering new evidence and witnesses to refile the case against the security guard.

NBI probe

Dalawampu said they will ask the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a separate investigation into the burglary.

She wanted the NBI to include in its investigation SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros, Ester Santander, Marie Angelie Pascual and Helen Talisic.   

“Nagduda gyud ko nga kanang kwarta wala makaabot sa admin vault (I doubt that the lost money never reached the admin vault),” she said.

City Councilor Edgardo Labella has proposed a resolution requesting the NBI to conduct a separate investigation into the burglary. — With Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (FREEMAN)