Cop sacked over Negros board member’s slay

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A police officer tagged as the gunman in the killing of Negros Occidental board member Renato Malabor and his security escort in Isabela town last month has been relieved from his post.

Police Officer 1 Robert Chloe Rito was ordered relieved from the Isabela municipal police on July 29, the day the murder complaints were filed against him and 11 other suspects, according to Senior Inspector Anthony Grande, town police chief. 

Grande said Rito was reassigned to the provincial police office in this city, based on an order signed by Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, acting director of the Negros Occidental police office.

Last Friday, Nacion said they would start conducting the administrative proceedings against Rito as soon as he reports tomorrow.

Rito’s brother Rolyn told journalists that the officer opted not to come out to protect himself.

Rito was one of the seven suspects identified by the Special Investigation Task Group Malabor in the complaints filed with the provincial prosecutor’s office last Wednesday.

Grande said some of Rito’s colleagues believe he is innocent and described him as a good man.

Rolyn said his brother was a fall guy, adding the residents of Isabela could vouch for his character.

Rito was a pharmacist before he joined the police in 2009.  He was assigned in Isabela in 2012 as assistant investigator.