Cop charged for pocketing suicide victim’s money

MANILA, Philippines - A police officer was slapped with administrative charges yesterday after he allegedly pocketed the wallet of a businessman who committed suicide at a market in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Senior Police Officer 4 Noel Villamor of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3 allegedly took the wallet of 46-year-old Al Santiago containing P15,000 in cash shortly after the latter took his own life in his stall at Central Market at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to homicide investigator PO3 Alonzo Layugan.

Villamor was the first to arrive at the scene. He found Santiago lifeless with a belt tied around his neck, Layugan said.

A stall owner, Salvador Lazo, discovered the remains of Santiago, who reportedly suffered from depression after his wife left him.

According to Layugan, Santiago’s tailoring shop in the province went bankrupt.

Reports said Santiago had a quarrel with his wife after the victim sold one of his sewing machines for P15,000.

Stall owners at the Central Market said Santiago drank three bottles of beer before hanging himself.

Villamor allegedly took Santiago’s two mobile phones, a silver necklace and wallet containing P15,000 in cash.

When Layugan and his team arrived at the scene, Villamor turned over the cell phones and necklace but did not report the money.

Two days after the suicide, Santiago’s family looked for his valuables and money, prompting Villamor to return P5,000 to them.

Villamor said he kept the wallet because he was worried that the homicide team would keep it for themselves.

A confrontation between the victim’s wife and Villamor ensued Monday night after the police officer returned only P5,000.

Chief Inspector Arsenio Riparip, head of the MPD general assignment and investigation section, said Villamor violated the law.

Layugan said police officers responding to crime incidents are required to turn over to investigators all evidence that could help in the probe.

“He erred because he kept the money and only reported it when the victim’s family looked for it,” Layugan said.