PNP official suspended for Cebu hotelier’s slay

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine National Police (PNP) official, tagged as the mastermind in the killing of a Cebu-based hotelier in Davao City last year, has been suspended, the Office of the Ombudsman announced yesterday.

Superintendent Leonardo Felonia, chief of the police’s regional intelligence unit based in Davao City, was meted a six-month suspension in connection with the killing of businessman Richard King on June 12 last year. 

Cyril Ramos, deputy ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices, directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP to implement the order against Felonia.

The anti-graft agency said it was looking into reports that King was shot in his office by Paul Dave Labang.

Labang, along with his alleged accomplices Rommel and Rodel, both surnamed Dela Cerna, identified Felonia as the mastermind.

In the report, Ramos said they found a strong probability that Felonia might have influenced the witnesses or tampered with the evidence in the case.

Felonia is facing administrative charges for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming a police officer with the Office of the Ombudsman.