Tom to cops: Probe me

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has offered himself to be subjected to background investigation for visiting the wake of his former security aide and friend SPO1 Adonis Dumpit.

The mayor cried foul over the directive of Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas to take pictures of policemen visiting the wake of Dumpit and have them investigated.  

"I don't think that's fair. Why? Just because you are friends, you make it appear like it's a crime?" Osmeña lamented.

He said that conducting background check on police officers seen in the wake of Dumpit is "unfair."

Osmeña said he is not afraid to be investigated. In fact, he said the police can check on his background.

 "They can background check me. I'm not afraid," the mayor said.

Dumpit, a former close aide of Osmeña, was killed in Tagbilaran City, Bohol during a shootout with the joint operatives of National Bureau of Investigation and Regional Intelligence Division last week. The NBI and the police claimed that Dumpit was a "narco cop" and is considered a high value target.

Sinas reiterated that Dumpit will not be given police honors during his interment today at the Carreta Cemetery. His family will also not receive his benefits except the accumulated leave credits.

Osmeña, however, said Dumpit does not need police honors because the Cebuanos already know his good deeds for the city. In fact, the mayor offered a short prayer for Dumpit during his State of the City Address before the City Council yesterday.

"For now, I would just like to end this for a little pause and say goodbye to my friend, Adonis Dumpit, and tell him that many Cebuanos believed in you," the mayor said.

Osmeña said Dumpit has served the city well in cracking down criminality during his tour of duty here. On the possibility of giving Dumpit a posthumous award, Osmeña said it will depend if there is public clamor.

Osmeña said he will just focus on giving Dumpit a dignified and decent burial at the moment. Dumpit will be laid to rest this afternoon at the Carreta Cemetery after a requiem Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.— FPL (FREEMAN)