In trouble

Naga City cop to face probe for allegedly forging signature of police chief

● PO2 Gilmer Noval says he signed a letter inviting Jimms de Gracia to come to the station to settle his differences with Lanas Barangay Captain Rey Arnoza ● Noval says Supt. Brendo Nacario delegated him to sign on the latter’s behalf if cases involved are petty ● Nacarios denies knowledge of the letter

APOLICE officer will face investigation for allegedly forging the signature of Supt. Brendo Nacario, chief of the Naga City Police Station.

Senior Insp. Wilson Abot, head of the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch (PIDMB), said he will summon PO2 Gilmer Noval to explain why he affixed his signature on an invitation letter carrying Nacario’s name.

The letter was sent last Saturday to Jimms de Gracia, who was asked to come to the police station to settle his differences with Lanas Barangay Captain Rey Arnoza.

Feud

Arnoza said de Gracia told their neighbors through text messages that he owes the latter P20 million.

In a phone interview, Noval denied forging Nacario’s signature, saying the official delegated him to sign on his behalf if the cases involved are petty.

“It was my signature,” said Noval in Cebuano. “I was autho- rized by the chief.”

Nacario, however, told Sun.Star Superbalita that his subordinate may have forged his signature, adding that he did not allow anyone to sign a form with his name on it.

He also said he was not aware that Noval had sent an invitation to de Gracia’s residence.

De Gracia, 25, had gone to the PIDMB office at the Cebu Provincial Police Office to complain that he received threatening messages from Arnoza.

He said he will file charges against Arnoza before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas today.

De Gracia also asked PIDMB to investigate Noval, who was allegedly not in full police uniform when he delivered the letter to.

‘In good faith’

Abot said police officers should be in proper uniform when conducting official business.

Noval said he was in civilian clothes because he attended a seminar with members of the Barangay Intelligence Network in Lanas before he delivered the letter.

“I did it in good faith,” he said. “I am not defending anyone here. I have no part in their problem.”

Arnoza, for his part, denied sending death threats to de Gracia.

“His allegations are all fabricated,” he said in a phone interview.

The barangay captain said their conflict started when he did not allow de Gracia to hold a benefit dance in Sitio Visayan since the latter did not have a permit.

Arnoza said he plans to file counter-charges against de Gracia, whom he accused of being a drug dependent.

De Gracia denied he is hooked into drugs.