Remains found in Badian those of missing policeman

CEBU, Philippines - The dental examination and comparison result of the skeletal remains that were found earlier this month in the mountain barangay of Santicon, Badian town matched with the dental records of missing police officer Jimmy Jorge.

Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, Cebu Police Provincial Office Director, said that the Regional Crime Laboratory Office-7 furnished the result to the Special Investigation Task Group.

“Nag-conduct tag case conference sa dental examinations. Positibo nagtumbok nga kang PO1 Jorge, nya atong gipangita ang tawo nga nakakita sa skeletal remains,” Gillamac said.

With the identification of the skeletal remains, Gillamac said they believe that there was “foul play” in Jorge’s death but said they cannot determine yet the motive for the killing.

“Ang pagtuo namo naay foul play, naay ebidensya nga naay indikasyon nga foul play. Di pa ta kakuan sa motibo gyud, kay ato sang tan-awn ang background sa polis,” he added.

During the conduct of the preliminary investigation, they learned that before the police officer went missing, his appearance and actions reportedly changed.

Gillamac said that Jorge’s colleagues revealed that the police officer started to grow his hair and was believed to be part of a cult.

In the course of the investigation, they learned that members of the cult, “Dios Amahan,” were present in the area.

When the police reportedly asked the members of Dios Amahan if they recognized the police officer, they allegedly denied having a member by the name of PO1 Jorge.

“It does not follow nga wala siya sa lista nga dili na siya membro sa kulto, ato gihapon nang susihon,” he added.

The SITG is currently gathering more testimonies from witnesses in the area, especially from Tanny Carticiano and his son, Jade, who found the skeletal remains in the woods while gathering firewood.

Gillamac said that they are trying to locate the two who reportedly moved to another place and did not inform the police of their whereabouts.

Gillamac disclosed that the testimonies of the two are vital in the solution of the case since one of the two witnesses turned over to the police the revolver believed to be the gun used in the killing of the police officer.  (FREEMAN)