Inclusion of 2 PNP officials in drug matrix: Sabalones faces P10 million suit

CEBU, Philippines - The camp of two police officials who were included in the drug matrix revealed by self-confessed drug personality Franz Sabalones will take legal action against the supposed whistleblower for the "baseless accusations."

The drug matrix shown by UNTV included the names of Superintendent Rex Derilo, the former chief of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID-7 or R2) of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), and Superintendent George Ylanan, the former chief of PRO-7's Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG-7).

Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna said they will be filing a P10-million damage suit and criminal complaints against Sabalones.

"He has no basis in law and in fact... allegation is not considered as evidence," Dela Cerna told The FREEMAN.

Aside from the damage suit, they are also contemplating on filing libel, falsification, and perjury complaints against Sabalones for releasing the list.

He said the allegations have affected the two police officials and their families.

"They are angry and distraught. Their children are ashamed," Dela Cerna said.

Derilo was earlier transferred to PRO-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).  Ylanan was also relieved from PRO-7 and transferred to PRO-10 (Northern Mindanao).

The reassignment came after they were tagged in alleged involvement in illegal drugs activities but Camp Crame explained it was but part of the major revamp in the police hierarchy and internal cleansing.

Yesterday, Derilo went to Camp Crame to clear his name. He told The Freeman he even brought documents with him to support his claim.

 "I will never do such thing," he said.

"For 18 years in service sa Cebu, wa ko na-involve sa mga illegal. Di nako pwede i-sacrifice akong reputation… Very unfair for me… public perception irreparable na… Do you think after this ma-repair pa nato? The damage has been done already," he said.

He said Sabalones and other drug personalities might be the ones behind the disclosure because they are the ones with an axe to grind against him.

Ylanan, too, has denied the allegations.

 He questioned why he was included on the list when in fact it took him for only two months to be assigned at RSOG since he was assigned at the Cebu City Police Office.  

 The two police officials were relieved from their post as part of the reshuffling of the PNP.

Due process

Police Regional Office-7 Director, Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, assured due process for the policemen once he receives an official directive from Camp Crame.

 "There was no directive yet from the Camp Crame," he said yesterday, adding, he already expected Sabalones to name names.  He said he came to know of the names through media reports. He said the recent disclosure will not affect the image of the PNP. 

Still in the spirit of due process, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to open an investigation into the disclosure to give the cops the proper venue to answer the allegations.

Sabalones revealed the matrix more than a month after he surrendered voluntarily to PNP Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

He alleged the weekly payout to the 18 policemen and one PDEA team leader amounted to a total of P507,000. — with Mylen M. Manto (FREEMAN)