CIDG declines to dip hands on probe over resto fracas
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) VI begged off to be excused in conducting a probe over the involvement of a policeman in gun poking and mauling incident last week at City Proper, Iloilo City.
CIDG-6 regional officer Senior Supt. Renato Angara confirmed sending a memorandum to PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas expressing their desire not to participate on the probe.
As to why he declined, Angara reasoned that PO2 George Sermonia, the cop involved in the fracas, is only on detail service with the CIDG. He is an organic member of the Iloilo City Police Station 1.
As such, “we have no administrative jurisdiction over Sermonia,” he explained.
Angara also confirmed that there was no official order for Sermonia to act as police escort to Kenneth Chua, a scion of a prominent family in Iloilo City.
But he admitted receiving reports that the two knew each other.
Information from sources said that Sermonia and Chua are “magkumpare” with the latter acting as godfather on the former’s child.
“So, the moonlighting part is yet to be proved. It could be possible that they just met and agreed to have a meal,” the source claimed.
It was also learned that Sermonia was on mandatory leave, which started December 1 and ended December 7, when the incident happened.
To note, Sermonia reportedly poked his gun at the employees of Luis Linaga-an in Ybiernas St. after he and his companion were served with a different food.
According to reports, Police Station 1 received a call at around 2:30 a.m.
“The phone call did not detail what happened. We just received a call for police assistance because of an ongoing commotion,” said Police Station 1 commander Senior Insp. Federico Silvestre.
The station chief did not elaborate further what happened claiming that Sermonia and the complainants – the employees and the restaurant owner – came to an amicable settlement hours after the incident.
Reports claimed that responding tanod commander and Brgy. Capt. Navarro of Ybiernas St. also got a taste of the alleged arrogance of Sermonia who told the former: “Maano kamo di?!”
Earlier, Cuevas said that an investigation should be made surrounding the incident.
He claimed that he would refer the incident to the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) for a possible moto propio investigation.
He also wanted to know the legal authority behind Sermonia’s alleged rendering of security service to Chua.
