CEBU, Philippines - The town police chief accused of receiving P50,000 in exchange for the freedom of a foreign national was relieved to the Cebu Provincial Police Office effective yesterday pending investigation.
Senior Inspector Samuel Romanillos, Compostela police chief, is temporarily reassigned to the provincial headquarters as Mayor Joel Quiño is set to choose from among five police officers, whose names CCPO director Noel Gillamac submitted to his office, to assume his post.
Gillamac has ordered the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch to investigate why there was neither police blotter nor spot report sent to his office regarding the incident involving Ghanaian national Alexander Painstil when the case has an entry at the police station.
There was also no inventory as alleged by the police station, but naa diay, then it is enough to relieve him,” said Gillamac in a press conference.
Gillamac said everything that transpires in an area should be officially put on a blotter. Denying evidence even if there was an inventory made is a ground for administrative liability, he added.
CPPO will also investigate Romanillos and his personnel in relation to Painstil’s arrest.
Painstil, who was temporarily residing in Barangay Talisay, Daanbantayan, was caught smoking a marijuana stick by police who were conducting preventive patrol last June 9.
Painstil’s Filipina wife reportedly had a conversation with Romanillos and allegedly paid more than P50,000 in exchange for his freedom.
Romanillos, however, denied receiving any cash from the foreigner and clarified that there was neither a blotter nor a journal about the incident and he is also yet to check if there was inventory made by his personnel.
“Ako pang ipangutana kung duna ba’y inventory kay ako gi-check sa blotter wala ma’y nilangkatan o gitangtang ba kaha,” Romanillos said.
He added that Painstil even called him up to help him clarify the allegations.
“Naluoy na sila nako kuno kay dili man kuno tinuod unya willing man kuno sila mutabang kay kahibalo man sila nga wala gyud nagduda ko sa akong mga tao ani,” he said, adding that his men were working on the case.
The police official has suspected that some politicians, who are against his campaign against illegal activities in the town, created the issue.
He is now is preparing all documents to support his statement in response to the allegations. — (FREEMAN)