No order to Mandaue police chief on probe

CEBU — Regional police director Avelino Razon Jr. did not order the Mandaue City police chief to launch a "discreet investigation" into alleged smuggling activities in that city.

The investigation has subsequently implicated Rafael Ouano, brother of Mayor Thadeo Ouano, in alleged smuggling operations at the Ouano wharf there.

Razon said he never ordered Mandaue police chief Nicanor Casaclang to conduct an investigation, discreet or otherwise, into the alleged smuggling activities.

He did admit ordering such an investigation but the directive was for the head of the regional intelligence and investigation division.

Nevertheless, Razon said he will not allow the efforts of Casaclang to go to waste and will read his report once it reaches his desk.

He said he might even order a full-blown investigation based on what he might gather from Casaclang’s report.

Mayor Ouano does not like Casaclang and had previously written Malacañang to have him replaced by Jesus Gaquing, who appears to be his favorite.

Gaquing used to be the police chief but was replaced by Casaclang during the elections. After the polls, Gaquing reassumed his post but was replaced again by Casaclang.

Mayor Ouano himself was not implicated in the Casaclang report.

He said his brother also denies any involvement, being engaged solely in real estate.

Still, Ouano said he will not interfere in any police investigation of his brother and even suggested that the matter be brought to the courts to allow his brother the chance to clear his name.

Ouano also denied involvement in the mysterious disappearance of the cargo ship Great Faith from the Ouano wharf last Dec. 25.

The ship, with 20,000 bags of smuggled rice, disappeared from Customs custody and has not been seen since despite a massive sea and air search. — Freeman News Service