23 cops in AWOL status

CEBU, Philippines - At least 23 members of  the Cebu City Police Office have reportedly been absent without official leave since 2013, including a police officer who was allegedly involved in a shooting incident Saturday with another policeman.

Inspector Arieza Velasco Otida of the Investigation Detection and Management Branch of the CCPO said they have monitored the 23 police personnel who have not been reporting for duty since last year.

According to Otida, one of the members of the Mobile Patrol Group, PO3 Roy Tolentino, has not reported since last year.

Tolentino allegedly figured in a shooting incident with P03 Bryan Pastor, who is to the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section.

Pastor allegedly shot Tolentino after the latter drew first his firearm. Tolentino reportedly got mad when Pastor reprimanded him for giving him dagger-looks. The incident was reportedly not recorded in any police station.

Otida said that they have sent Tolentino notices asking him to answer and explain why he was no longer reporting for duty.

She said she even called the attention of his two immediate superiors to get his side but Tolentino reportedly did not heed the invitation.

Otida said that the administrative aspect of Tolentino’s case regarding Saturday’s shooting incident had become moot and academic.

She explained that since he is no longer reporting for duty, the administrative aspect is no longer available and they could only run after him on the criminal aspect of the case.

She said that even though Santos does not belong to the city police office, he will still be invited by IDMB to shed light on the allegation. If found out to be true, a criminal charge may be filed against Tolentino.

Otida added that they are also waiting for an incident report from Inspector Chuck Barandog, station commander of San Nicholas Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the incident.

Barandog clarified that his personnel responded to the shooting alarm and that it had been properly recorded.

He added that an incident report would not be necessary because Tolentino is on AWOL while Santos is under the jurisdiction of the Police Regional Office-7.

Tolentino is currently facing an administrative complaint for serious neglect of duty. — /ATO (FREEMAN)