2 cops to witness vs police chief

CEBU, Philippines - Two police officers of Compostela Police Station have assured to cooperate with the Provincial Intelligence Branch and execute affidavits against their station chief, Senior Inspector Samuel Romanillos.

Police Officer 3 Arni Goc-ong and Police Officer 2 Romeo Rubilla, contrary to Romanillos’ claim, both said that there was indeed an inventory of evidence made during the arrest of Ghanaian national Alexander Painstil.

Goc-ong and Rubilla were called at the Cebu Provincial Police Office headquarters Wednesday for questioning relative to Painstil’s alleged release in exchange for P50,000.

Goc-ong, in an interview with The FREEMAN, said they failed to submit a spot report to the provincial headquarters following orders from Romanillos.

He said they also did not just react when Painstil was released from their custody.

Painstil and his Filipina wife had car trouble while bound for home in Daanbantayan town last June 9. They were having the vehicle fixed when Painstil reportedly lighted a marijuana stick and was seen by police who were conducting preventive patrol.

The foreign national was arrested but was released after his wife allegedly paid the amount.

Both police investigators are expected to submit their sworn affidavits next week.

“Willing mi mo-cooperate kay barugan namo among statements kay tinuod man gyud nga naay nakuha (marijuana), signed pa gani sa barangay kapitan. Kung mao man lang gani nga magbuot-buot mi, dili na lang mi magtawag ug kapitan,” Goc-ong said.

The incident has prompted CCPO director Noel Gillamac to relieve Romanillos to the headquarters.

He said Romanillos will definitely face an administrative liability for what he did.

Superintendent Rodulfo Albotra, PIB chief, said that he will still check all sides of the stories and statements of those involved.

“The chief of police denied all the allegations showing an affidavit of the foreign national but I told him to attach it to his affidavit,” Albotra said, adding that he initially saw inconsistencies in the statements of Romanillos and the two police officers.

PIB will also file appropriate charges against Painstil if it is proven that there was indeed evidence recovered during his arrest.

Police will file a case for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and wait for the arrest warrant before they could arrest Painstil.

SPO4 Wilfredo Caturza serves as the acting chief of Compostela Police pending the choice of Mayor Joel Quiño for the next police chief. (FREEMAN)