2 more cops in P400-M ‘ghost’ tank repairs surrender

MANILA, Philippines - Two police officers accused of being involved in P400-million “ghost” repairs of V-150 armored personnel carriers in 2007 surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Thursday night.

Superintendent Josephine Dumanew and Chief Inspector Analee Forro went to the CIDG-Criminal Investigation and Detection Division (CIDD) at Camp Crame together with their lawyer, Gregorio Bonifacio.

In his report to CIDG chief Director Frank Uyami Jr., CIDD head Senior Superintendent Pedro Austria said the two arrived at the CIDG at around 11 p.m. last Thursday.

The surrender of Dumanew and Forro brought to 13 the total number of police officers being held at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in connection with the case.

Former PNP chief Avelino Razon, former generals Geary Barias, Eliseo dela Paz, Charlimagne Alejandrino and seven others surrendered Wednesday after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for their arrest on charges of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

Razon and the others insisted that they are innocent.

Austria said the arrest warrants for Dumanew and Forro were returned to the Sandiganbayan, which affirmed a recommendation of the Ombudsman that the police generals and 26 others accused in the case be held without bail.