Relief order vs 'Kotong' cop's buddy may be lifted

MANILA, Philippines - The “patrol buddy” of dismissed policeman Senior Police Officer 4 Jose dela Peña, who has claimed innocence in the attempt to extort money from a son of Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, may soon be cleared of extortion charges and get back to work.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Mario Dela Vega yesterday said he will recommend the lifting of the relief order on PO2 Resty del Rosario in the absence of a formal complaint tagging him in extortion.

“I might not assign him (Del Rosario) again with the MPU (Mobile Patrol Unit), but I think the relief order should be lifted,” dela Vega said.

He said that so far, the younger Espina has yet to file any complaint against Del Rosario.

Earlier, Dela Peña cleared Del Rosario of involvement in the extortion try.

According to Del Rosario, it was only Dela Peña who approached and eventually took over the car of Espina’s son on Sept. 4.