Special task group to probe cop’s death

CEBU, Philippines — A special investigation task group (SITG) will be formed to expedite the investigation into the death of a police officer in Barangay Tulay, Minglanilla City last week.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas announced that Minglanilla police led by Chief Inspector Verniño Noserale requested for the creation of the task group.

The victim, PO2 Lord Romyth Cañada, was shot dead by an unknown assailant in the afternoon of November 14.

Six days after, police have yet to establish the motive or identify a person of interest.

The SITG will be led by the Cebu Provincial Police Office director, Senior Superintendent Manuel Abrugena.

Sinas said that the SITG will help in solving high-profile cases, especially when there is no witness who can help in the investigation.

He said that in cases such as this, police will be digging deeper into Cañada’s background.

Cañada joined the PNP in 2008 and his first assignment was in Boljoon town.  He was later transferred to Minglanilla town and in 2016, he was transferred to PRO-7 Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit after he escaped during a random drug test.

Last year, he served a month-long suspension for his administrative case for neglect of duty.

He was then permanently assigned to the Regional Headquarters Security Group until he was killed.

“Amo giistoryahan nga isolve gyud. I directed the police didto nga kung wala’y witnesses, tan-awon gyud ang background because until now, wala pa confirmation kung involved ba sa illegal nga drugas,” Sinas said. (FREEMAN)