CPPO looking at illegal drugs, past activities in investigation
Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Manuel Abrugena said they are looking into the slain cop’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs and his previous activities prior to his death in their investigation.
Earlier, Police Officer 2 Melchizedek Batomalaque was shot dead by unidentified assailant in Toledo City last Tuesday night.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Debold Sinas had confirmed that Batomalaque was included on President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of cops involved in illegal activities.
Batomalaque’s family, however, decries the accusations hurled against him, as they grieve over their loss.
In a public post of his wife Catherine’s social media account, she said that Melchizedek was no less of a husband, a “loving father” to their two children, and a “perfect” neighbor, no matter how negative the allegations were.
“To the people who think negatively about you, we do not care, because for us you are an example of a perfect friend and neighbor. Many may judge us..but truth shall prevail,” read her post.
Abrugena said they understand the grievances of the family. He said that he has directed the Toledo City Police Station chief to give the family time to grieve. He said they will resume contact with the family to expedite the investigation after Batomalaque will be laid to rest.
“We have yet to receive the coordination of the family. Ang nakikita ko diyan ay after the interment or burial of Batomalaque, mas uusad ang ongoing investigation,” Abrugena said.
Abrugena said that the slain police officer was identified in 2016 as being involved in illegal activities when he was still assigned at the Toledo City Police Station.
However, he was later transferred to the Pinamungajan Police Station after the authorities reportedly linked him to illegal drugs.
He was then reassigned last year to the Police Regional Office of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (PROARMM) in Sulu.
According to Sinas, Batomalaque was also part of the number cops being monitored for their stay in Cebu despite assignments in other regions.
“I am still coordinating sa PRO-ARMM kung ano activity before nauwi dito, and nagkakaroon din kami ng investigation dito kung sino ang mga tao na kanyang nakasama, during his stint here as personnel ng CPPO,” Abrugena said.
EXTORTION
Meanwhile, Abrugena expressed his disappointment and anger on the recent issue of robbery and extortion involving a cop from the Consolacion Police Station.
“Disappointed and very angry dahil bilang ama ng CPPO, kapag po ay you have done your best para paalalahanan at madisiplina ang mga tao mo and it turned out na may mga ganitong pasaway, ay nalulungkot at nagagalit po,” said Abrugena.
Senior Police Officer 2 Vicente Gila Jr. was arrested by the operatives of the Talamban Police Station last Tuesday afternoon in an entrapment operation after a certain John Vincente Rafols, a hotel manager in General Santos City, reported the policeman’s attempt to extort P10,000 in return of his phone that he had accidentally left inside the taxi.
The Talamban police, however, had to release Gila after the victim did not show up to file a formal complaint last Thursday.
Talamban Police Station Chief Alvin Llamedo said that the victim can file a formal complaint anytime but it will be under regular filing.
Abrugena stressed out that definitely Gila will suffer the consequences of his wrongdoings despite having no criminal case.
He said that Gila will be assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) of the CPPO while the hearing for his summary of dismissal is still ongoing.
“Definitely (madaliin ang hearing). Tumanggap na tayo ng order from our regional director to hasten in hearing this case para makita talaga nila, ng ating kapulisan, na ang PNP is very quick in punishing their personnel involved in wrongdoings,” Abrugena said.
Gila’s issued service firearms and his PNP Identification cards were already confiscated after the entrapment.
Clydyl L. Avila, Ermida Q. Moradas/GAN