City's intel chief faces probe over text message received by radio station
The city's top intelligence officer is placed in hot water for sending text message to a radio station that allegedly implies significant information that could shed light on the identities of suspects who left three fragmentation grenades under a cottage of Tatoy's Manokan in Arevalo last Sunday.
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Sr. Supt. Wesley Barayuga said Senior Inspector Musa Amiyong, chief of the intelligence section of the ICPO, faces an an investigation over the text message received by dyOK Aksyon Radyo relative to the discovery of three fragmentation grenades.
The three fragmentation grenade is allegedly intended for businessman Melvin "Boyet" Odicta. Odicta was earlier linked to the illegal drug trade in the city by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. However, Atty. Edeljulio Romero, Odicta's legal counsel said the courts had already cleared his client of all illegal drugs cases.
The investigation headed by Chief Inspector Graciano Zapanta started yesterday. The probe emanated from the text message received by Aksyon Radyo allegedly coming from the cellphone number of Amiyong saying: "Brod, medyo isa sg mga anggulo nga ikaw ang ginabasol sg natabo kay ihado sa tatoy's. Suno ina ky maninoy. Doble halong gid." The radio station received the text message Tuesday.
Senior Inspector Amiyong is not available when reached for comment.
The radio station recognized the mobile number that appeared on their computer apparently coming from Amiyong. They called the number and confirmed that the phone belongs to Amiyong. The number that appeared on the station's computer is the same number the station is calling whenever they interview Amiyong.
The text message coming from Amiyong's phone created several reactions. It came at the height of the investigation when probers are looking for substantial information for the resolution of grenade discovery. The Military Intelligence Group (MIG) is now checking on what office and who probably possess the grenades prior to its discovery.
Barayuga, in a telephone interview, refused to comment on whether Amiyong indeed has any idea or holding material information that could lead to resolution on the fragmentation grenades discovery. It depends on the result of the investigation, he said.
The chief of the intelligence section should make himself available for an investigation. The chief of the investigation must exhaust all means to come up with a credible result of the investigation. They should check the source of the text message and the text message sent to the radio station. Whatever statement he has to give before the investigating body should be made through an affidavit, said Barayuga.
As of yesterday, the police could not still ascertain on whether the fragmentation grenades were intended for Odicta. The fragmentation grenades were discovered under cottage number 7 past 7 a.m. of Sunday. Probers have to check on who occupied the cottage the day before it was reserved for Odicta. Odicta is supposed to have lunch in Tatoy's last Sunday.
When discovered by a security guard, the explosives were installed to a steel bar which was screwed to a wooden post. A nylon string was attached to the safety pins possibly as detonating mechanism. The other end of the string was found near the seawall more or less two meters from the cottage.
The police is facing a blank wall on who could possibly planted the fragmentation grenades under the cottage as they have no available witness to categorically pinpoint the persons who placed the explosives.