Cops take crash course

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador is meeting all the chiefs of police in the entire province to discuss the dos and don’ts in a hostage-taking.

Comendador said the discussion is intended to give ideas on how and what to do if a hostage-taking incident will happen similar to that in Dumanjug.

This, after alleged hostage taker Thaddeo Camacho went wild and held hostage the police chief’s live-in partner, Helen Recuerdo, using the cop’s caliber .45 pistol.

The incident transpired inside the Dumanjug Police Station on Sunday where Sr. Insp. Rully Lauron serves as the head.

Commendador said these discussions will be included in every command conference at the CPPO headquarters.

He will be discussing the negotiable and non-negotiable items as well as the lessons learned from the incident.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” Comendador quoted.

Lauron is currently serving a one month suspension after being found guilty of simple misconduct with regards to a case filed against him when he was still the Chief of Police of the San Remigio Police Station.

His deputy Felipe Vibar will serve as acting chief of the Dumanjug Police Station.

The one month suspension took effect last Thursday after Lauron received the special order dated August 17 from Camp Crame suspending him along with PO2 Rhexter Armenion, warrant server of the San Remigio Police Station.

The suspension stemmed from the administrative complaint filed by Donnie Demicilio who alleged he was arrested in February 2010 based on an invalid warrant.

Lauron is also facing another investigation with the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch because of the alleged operational lapses during the hostage taking.  (FREEMAN)