Colita left camp the day Nepomuceno was murdered

CEBU, Philippines —  Staff Sgt. Celso Colita went out of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 for a medical checkup on the day Ritchie Nepomuceno, the woman who accused him and 12 other cops from the Sawang Calero Police Station of robbery and rape, was killed.

According to the camp logbook, he left camp at 8:37 a.m. on April 19, 2021 and returned at 6 p.m. or shortly after Nepomuceno was shot dead on N. Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City.

He was escorted by Police Corporal Christopher Lorete.

This information runs contrary to the statement issued by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) on Wednesday that Colita did not leave PRO-7.

In fact, this is the reason why CCPO has ruled Colita out as person of interest in Nepomuceno’s shooting.

“Gi-check sad sa atong custodian; wala man gyud sya (Colita) kagawas atong adlawa,” CCPO Director Josefino Ligan said.

Colita and 12 other policemen who are subject of investigation have been restricted at PRO-7 after they were relieved from their posts at the Sawang Calero Police Station. They can go out of the camp only when authorized to do so, police said.

Asked to clarify, Ligan said:

“I didn't say nga wala nigawas si Colita. As far as I know, because he is in restricted custody, dili gyud na sila kagawas unless naay legitimate reason pareha anang court hearing, court duty, ug kanang mag-medical. In short, kung naa nang mga valid reasons, makagawas na sila, provided nga naay escort... so mao nay nahitabo nganong nakagawas sya anang adlawa,” he told The Freeman Wednesday night.

About three hours after Nepomuceno was shot on April 19, Colita allegedly killed himself inside the restroom of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU). He had excused himself from the interview in line with the robbery and rape charges.

Probe angles

Ligan said the gun that Colita used to shoot himself would be subject to ballistic examination to see if it has been used in other crimes, including Nepomuceno’s shooting.

The gun did not come from the PNP as the police had recalled the firearms issued to the 13 cops when the investigation against them started.

"Basi’g katong armasa, ug asa to gikan ug asa to niya nakuha… kay di man to niya issued firearm… tan-awon pud nato kung may kalabotan ba to sa pagpatay sa baye,” Ligan said.

"Ug ma-cross-match to nga armas, daghan tang makita kung asa to gipang-gamit so may posibilidad sa ubang krimen, may posibilidad nga sa katong krimen atong baye," he added.

CCPO is also getting the statement of Nepomuceno’s husband as it is also pursuing a love triangle angle in the investigation.

"Sa background nga among nahimo aning bayhana (Nepomuceno), daghan gyud ni syang na-uyab sa wala pa sila atong na-uyab niya nga druglord… katong pagkabuwag ani sa iyang bana, naa pud daghan… subayunon pa," Ligan said.

Nepumoceno was found to have been in a relationship with a high-profile drug lord who is currently detained in the city jail.

She could allegedly dispose of up to five kilos of illegal drugs per week.

Colita

Ligan also said they stand firm on their earlier statement that Colita committed suicide, based on findings of the investigator.

He said it will be his family that will decide whether or not to have Colita’s remains autopsied.

Earlier, RPDEU chief Major Glenn Hife, the one who was interviewing Colita on the night of the incident, said the cop asked to be excused in the middle of the interview and it was only a few minutes later that they heard gunshots from the restroom.

Colita was rushed to the hospital but did not make it there alive.

Hife said there was no hint at all at that time that Colita would do anything to end his life. Colita reportedly appeared calm during the interview and even laughed at times.

Hife said it was only when he brought up Nepomuceno’s shooting when Colita reportedly started acting differently.

"Akong nakita niya mura syag nakurat. Ako syang gi-follow-up-pan og pangutana kung involved ba ka o naa ba kay kasayoran or knowledge sa iyang pag-ambush… wa na sya mutingog," Hife said.

Minutes later, Colita asked to be excused from the interview to go to the restroom. — JMO (FREEMAN)