PRO-7 to go after Quiamco’s assets

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office Director Jose Mario Espino yesterday said they will file a civil forfeiture case for all assets of Police Officer 3 Ryan Martus Quiamco, who was among the policemen President Rodrigo Duterte tagged as involved in the illegal drug trade.

Quiamco was killed during a police operation last Tuesday in Talisay City, after he allegedly engaged in a shootout with fellow policemen. Quiamco’s wife Rizalyn, who was five months pregnant, was also killed during the operation.

Quiamco allegedly owned several houses, a cock farm in Carcar City, and 10 luxurious cars that include SUV’s, a Toyota Hi-Lux, a Ford Fiesta and a Ford Ranger. All these properties, though, are not registered under Quiamco’s name, said Regional Internal Affairs Service Director Jose Carumba.

“Talagang napakalaking pera and not commensurate doon sa na-conduct sa kanyang SALN. Questionable talaga iyun, ‘pag ito'y na-prove natin na sa kanya. Right now we’re still verifying.  In fact sa LTO (Land Transportation Office) lumabas na, walang naka-name sa kanya. Pero merong makapag-testify na itoy lagi niyang ginagamit kahit hindi sa kanya naka-name, so puwede nating masabing (sa kanya),” Carumba said.

There also 20 unregistered motorcycles that are allegedly owned by Quiamco.  Carumba said they would apply for a court order to seize Quiamco’s properties.

On the other hand, Espino said that they will also investigate the report that Quiamco was recorded to have reported with the Personnel Holding & Accounting Unit (PHAU) in Camp Crame, where he was transferred after Duterte tagged him as a drug protector, because he was actually in Cebu.

“We will still conduct an investigation why that report came out, that he has an attendance in Camp Crame and he was here in Cebu,” said Espino.

He also said that they are validating information on the possibility that Quiamco’s cohorts included fellow police officers.

“We are still conducting validation based on the pieces of evidences that we gathered doon sa pinangyarihan,” Espino said.

“Sabi nga namin na lahat ng persons na nasa list are currently being monitored at any information we get will be validated. And if it’s true, we will conduct an operation,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said he welcomed the investigation by the Commission of Human Rights into Quiamco’s and Rizalyn’s death. The shootout also resulted to the injury of four civilians.

“Yes, PRO-7 (is) very much willing to cooperate in any investigation that CHR might think which is necessary to show that there is no violation of human rights in that operation,” Espino said. (FREEMAN)