NBI to cops: We are just doing our job

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 stressed they were just doing their job when they filed criminal complaints against some Cebu City policemen.

The NBI-7, through its former regional director Patricio Bernales, filed criminal and administrative complaints against Police Senior Inspector John Kareen Escober, who led the operation, Police Officers 1 Wilbert Perez and Rey Van Dadula of Carbon Police Station over the death of five-year- old Bladen Skyler Abatayo.

The filing of these cases did not sit well with the police leadership.

NBI-7 Director Cimafranca said the filing of falsification by public officer, dereliction of duty, obstruction of justice, grave misconduct against Escober; reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and grave misconduct against Perez; and dereliction of duty and grave misconduct against Dadula were the result of their investigation.

He added their investigation stemmed from the request of Skyler’s parents, Marc Anthony Abatayo and Gwynn Shanieka Capuno.

On July 10, 2018, the Carbon police conducted an alleged anti-drug operation at Sitio Bato, Barangay Ermita leading to the death Skyler, who was hit by a stray bullet.

Investigation revealed that Perez accidentally fired his gun after he stumbled and fall as he came down from a slippery stair of the abandoned house of Elizabeth Abayan.

Cimafranca assured that “at present their relationship with the police remains steadfast and strong.”

He added NBI-7 is a valued partner with other law enforcement agencies in the fight against all forms of criminality.

Cimafranca added they will continue to cooperate with the police in case of investigations.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Debold Sinas, however, thought the filing of the case strained their professional relationship.

He made the comment after he conferred an award to a wounded Cebu City cop last Tuesday inside a hospital located along Osmeña Boulevard.

He echoed the previous statements of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Royina Garma that it seemed like the NBI-7 was working to “demoralize” city cops.

“It’s not good. We are the same law enforcement agency. If they have problem, they should be talking together. We should have sat down,” Garma was quoted saying in a previous report.

Sinas though took it coolly and said police will work and remain unfazed with the charges or accusations both from the public, the local chief executive, and even with the NBI.

“Whether kung kinsa na (in position as new NBI-7 director), di na mi maapektuhan, puro man mi plastic,” Sinas said.