Region to assess city’s decision on 3 cops

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division of the Police Regional Office - 7 still has to assess the recommendation of the Cebu City Police Office-Investigation and Detection Management Branch on the violation of the three former Theft and Robbery Section chiefs who reportedly used an impounded car.

The CCPO-IDMB has already recommended for the filing of a less grave neglect of duty charge against Chief Inspector Noli Cernio, Senior Inspector Elisandro Quijano and Inspector William Alicaba.

The three former chiefs were said to have violated the Philippine National Police’s External Operating Procedure 2013-001 which is punishable under National Police Commission Order 2007-001.

The Napolcom order sets a penalty of suspension for not less than 31 days and not more than 60 days.

The recommendation was forwarded to RIDMB Chief Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas.

Lawas said he has instructed RIDMD Deputy Chief Superintendent Henry Biñas to evaluate the findings of the investigation of CCPO-IDMB to further identify if there were areas of the case that were not considered by the latter.

He said if additional aggravating circumstances will be found during their assessment, the recommended case of the CCPO-IDMB may be elevated to a higher corresponding offense.

He also added that while they respect the recommendation of the CCPO-IDMB, his office is assigned to review all cases being brought upon them for further scrutiny.

“Let’s be fair to everybody of us in the sense kun kinahanglan ipasaka ang sanction pasak-an nato. Kung kinahanglan pamub-an, pamub-an nato based on our rules and regulations,” he said.

Lawas said they initially found other aggravating circumstances, such as using the vehicle many times and bringing it outside the office for personal use.

He also mentioned about the violation on the policy on not using an impounded vehicle which was also cited in the recommendation of the CCPO-IDMB.

The order mandates that all impounded and recovered vehicles should be turned over to the nearest Highway Patrol Group within 48 hours from interception.

But the three police executives reportedly failed to turn over the vehicle to the HPG-7.

“Maybe they failed to look at or appreciate other aggravating circumstances mao we have to study and discuss about it,” Lawas said.

He further said there may also be a possibility that different violations and corresponding offenses will be filed for each of the three officers.

To prevent them from possibly influencing the outcome of the investigation, the three former TRS chiefs are currently housed in a “holding area” without any post. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/JMD (FREEMAN)