Tom files complaint vs. cop

CEBU, Philippines —  Outgoing Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has filed a supplemental complaint-judicial affidavit against Patrolman Romil Gelogo for alleged unexplained wealth, false testimony, perjury, and using an unregistered motor vehicle.

Last Friday, the mayor filed his complaint-judicial affidavit before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

“I was also made aware Patrolman Gelogo claims that he owns a Tag Heuer wristwatch with a value of Php 150,000.00. Considering his supposed salary as a patrolman, Patrolman Gelogo must be investigated by Ombudsman for his apparent unexplained wealth,” a portion of the affidavit of the mayor read.

In the complaint of Gelogo against Osmeña, the patrolman alleged that the mayor seized his motorcycle and the Tag Heuer wristwatch which was reportedly given by his first cousin who is an Overseas Filipino Worker.

Gelogo’s cousin also issued an affidavit attached to his complaint.

The cases that the police and the mayor filed against each other stemmed from the incident past midnight last May 12 at Camp Sotero Cabahug where two Sangguniang Kabataan officials and two other residents of Barangay Cogon-Ramos were jailed for allegedly buying votes.

To verify the incident, Osmeña went there but was barred from entering the camp.

While waiting outside, the mayor said he called the attention of Gelogo who just happened to be leaving the camp on board his motorcycle wearing shorts and slippers.

Aside from that, Osmeña said Gelogo’s motorcycle, which was impounded by the Cebu City Transportation Office, is unregistered with the Land Transportation Office for this year.

“Operating an unregistered motor vehicle is a violation of Republic Act No. 4136, in particular Chapter II, Article I, Sec. 5 letter a. The penalty is prescribed in Joint Administrative Order 2014-01,” the mayor said in his supplemental complaint-judicial affidavit.

Osmeña said he read a copy of the complaint-affidavit of Gelogo against him.

Gelogo filed a string of cases against Osmeña before the anti-graft office including usurpation of official function, violation of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, slander, grave coercion, direct assault, grave misconduct, violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act, robbery, serious dishonesty, oppression, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In his supplemental complaint-judicial affidavit, Osmeña said he noticed that the complaint of Gelogo against him stated under oath that he asked the mayor to issue a receipt for the seizure of his motorcycle.

Osmeña said he has witnesses who can belie the claim of Gelogo that he asked for a receipt for the seizure of his motorcycle.

In his main complaint, the mayor said the gates of Camp Sotero Cabahug opened because a patrol car went out and Gelogo took the opportunity to go back inside but left his motorcycle outside.

Upon the arrival of the personnel of CCTO, the mayor said enforcers looked for the owner of the motorcycle as they were about to issue a citation ticket for no license, no registration, no side mirror, and the wearing of slippers by the driver-owner.

Osmeña said he went home while the motorcycle was subject for safekeeping as the driver-owner of the unit abandoned it.

On top of his supplemental complaint-affidavit, the mayor accused Gelogo of alleged violation of several laws like the National Police Commission Memorandum circular No. 2016-002, Rule 21, Sec 2 (A) (1) (g); Land Transportation Office Administrative Order AHS 2008-015, Sec. X; and for violation of the Department of Transportation and Communications Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.

The cases were filed before the anti-graft office.  — BRP (FREEMAN)