Cop sued for pawning projector

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman from the Regional Training School in barangay Lahug is charged for theft before the Regional Trial Court yesterday for allegedly stealing a video projector in their office last September 14, 2005.

The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices has recommended the filing of charges against PO3 Ryan Noval after the investigating body has found probable cause of indicting him of the said crime.

Supt. Medardo de Guzman, the complainant, alleged that on September 14, 2005, the Liesagang video projector was missing in his quarters.

The said projector along with a black bag full of compact discs was placed inside the room on September 4, 2005 before the complainant left for an anniversary celebration in Calamba, Laguna.

After learning that the projector was missing, complainant de Guzman inquired from the designated officer in-charge including the suspect of the whereabouts of the projector but the two denied taking the property.

De Guzman then issued a directive for the staff personnel to undergo polygraph testing at the office of the National Bureau of Investigation. It was then that Noval admitted he took the projector and pledged it at the M. Lhuillier Pawnshop in the amount of P8,500.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Julius Java said that there is a cause to indict Noval of the crime of theft on the basis of the records of evidence that were submitted to his office.

“The Supreme Court ruled that where the accused had taken advantage of his position in committing the theft but did not act with grave abuse of confidence because his employer had never entrusted him the possession of the machine so the accused cannot be charged with qualified theft,” Java said.

He added that there exists probable cause to indict him of the crime of theft defined and penalized in Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code. — Jasmin U. Labaco/MEEV  (FREEMAN NEWS)