Police: Guard still a suspect

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the dismissal by the prosecutor of the complaint filed against him, police still believe that security guard Joselyndon Jabagat had a hand in the disappearance of the P1.6 million owned by the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated.

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said they are currently preparing new evidence against Jabagat.

“This is our job to get more evidence for the case to be re-filed because according to the discussion of the prosecutor kulang ang ebidensya, (there’s enough evidence),” Buenafe said.

Although he did not divulge the new evidence, Buenafe vowed that once they have collated all additional evidence and statements from new witnesses, they will re-file the case against Jabagat.

Insp. Rolando Pinili, CCPO Theft and Robbery Section chief, told The FREEMAN that they have two new witnesses from Cebu City Sports Center.

These witnesses, he said, will also be subjected to a polygraph test. 

On Monday, the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the qualified theft complaint that the police filed against Jabagat, citing lack of probable cause.

The complaint stemmed from the disappearance of the SFI’s P1.6 million from the vault of the administration office of the CCSC on the dawn of January 16.  

Although he denied responsibility, Jabagat was arrested based on the statements made by witnesses to the police

Buenafe admitted that there were lapses in the affidavits they presented to the prosecutor, which might have contributed to the dismissal of their complaint. But Jabagat’s counsel said they are unfazed if police would re-file the complaint.

“We are ready to face whatever case the police will file against my client,” said Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu.

When asked if they would file countercharges against the police, Dalawampu only said she still needs to discuss the matter with his client.

“Mag-agad ra pud ko sa akong kliyente kun gusto siya mo-pasaka’g kaso batok sa mga pulis (It depends upon my client if he wants to file a case against the police),” she said.

For his part, Jabagat told The FREEMAN that he does not want to face more problems regarding the case, saying his 13-day imprisonment was already enough for him.

Insisting that he is innocent of the crime, he said that he had nothing to do with the disappearance of the money.

At the City Hall, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said the police should try their best to come up with a tight case against the suspects.

Young said it was very shameful that the complaint the police had filed before the prosecutor would be dismissed because of insufficient of evidence.

While believing that Jabagat was involved in the burglary, Young said the police should support enough evidence against the suspect.

Dalawampu successfully convinced Assistant City Prosecutor Gandhi Truya that there is no enough evidence against her client.

Young said the police should learn a lesson from the case.

“Mogawas man diha nga wala g’yud diay hibangkaagan ang atong mga polis nga kuwang sila og kinaadman sa pag-imbistigar og pagpangita’g lig-on nga ebidensya (It would show the incompetence of the police in the investigation and gathering of evidence),” the vice mayor said.–(FREEMAN)