PRO 7 to monitor cops named by Kerwin
Suspected drug lord Rolando Espinosa Jr., during the Senate probe on illegal drugs, mentions retired PO3 Romeo Bolongaita, former Regional Special Operations Group chief George Ylanan and Senior Supt. Marvin Sanchez Had he been alive still, suspected drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz could have been a game changer in the government’s crack down on illegal drugs, says PRO 7 Director Noli Taliño
SUSPECTED drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz could have told his story if he was still alive today, according to Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Noli Taliño.
Taliño said Diaz’s testimony could have helped destroy the narcotics trade in the country, as the latter would have divulged the names of police and public officials who protected his operations.
The name of Diaz, a native of the Barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City, surfaced again in the Senate hearing last Wednes- day, after he was tagged by Eastern Visayas’s alleged drug kingpin Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. as one of his suppliers.
PRO 7 is also monitoring retired PO3 Romeo Bolongaita, whom Espinosa also mentioned during the inquiry.
Earlier misgivings
Bolongaita survived a murder attempt in Barangay Busay, Cebu City last Aug. 2, 2015.
He had been investigated after he was caught inside the compound of a suspected drug personality during a raid in Villagonzalo 2, Cebu City on Oct. 9, 2004.
Investigators are also gathering evidence against Cebuano businessman Peter Lim.
Diaz was killed during a police operation in Las Piñas City last June 17, 13 days before President Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office.
The operation was led by then PRO 7 Regional Intelligence Division Chief Rex Derilo and Regional Special Operations Group Chief George Ylanan.
Espinosa said Ylanan and Senior Supt. Marvin Sanchez were part of the team that arrested him in Cebu City a few years back.
When asked by reporters if the operation against Diaz was to silence him, Taliño said Camp Crame is still investigating the matter.
Taliño told reporters about an officer who was relieved after he allegedly “distorted” intelligence reports. The latter is also being investigated for his alleged connections to drug personalities.
He said that when he first assumed the post of PRO 7 director, he didn’t know who his allies were. “Eventually, marami na man tayong pulis na pagkakatiwalaan (I now have many men I can trust),” he said.
Verifications
The PRO 7 has been getting several texts and letters with names of police and government officials, who are allegedly involved in the drug trade either as protectors or traders.
Investigators are validating the information.
“We won’t stop until we clean our ranks,” Taliño said in Tagalog.
He said policemen, who protect drug personalities, have no place in the service.
However, Taliño said Espinosa’s revelations should not affect the morale of officers who are on the right path.
In a text message to Sun.Star Cebu, Senior Supt. Sanchez said he will gladly shed light on the matter “in a proper venue,” should he be asked.
Sanchez said he was watching on TV the Senate probe on illegal drugs involving Kerwin with colleagues.
“If I am not mistaken, it was never mentioned that I was one of those police officers who are/were receiving payola from Espinosa,” Sanchez said.
“He did mention my name and I would say that his statement pertaining to my person was full of inconsistencies,” he said.
Records show that Sanchez was chief of the Vice Control Section of
the Cebu City Police Office in 2003.
During that time, he and then Drug Enforcement Unit head Senior Insp. Jonathan Abella were investigated by then National Bureau of Investigation 7 director Reynaldo Esmeralda for allegedly covering up PO3 Paquito Monteroyo, who was accused of extorting money from a Lapu-Lapu City businessman.
In December 2007, law- yer Gines Abellana accused Sanchez, the then head of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group, of taking the money of a Japanese national they arrested.
But Sanchez said he won the case and the Japanese national was convicted.