Gonzalez’s bodyguard in hot water
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal confirmed that PO1 Ronnie Refugio is one of the four police security details of former Justice Secretary and mayoralty candidate Raul Gonzalez Sr. based on the record of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
As this developed, Mongcal claimed that he would ask the Comelec why four policemen were assigned to Gonzalez Sr.
Under the Comelec gun ban guidelines, only candidates from mayor upwards will be provided with PNP/AFP security details while others may engage the services of protective agents.
Further, not more than two members of PNP/AFP/NBI shall be detailed as security for each candidate, with the addition, upon request, of not more than two protective agents, save in exceptionally meritorious circumstances where additional security details may be requested by candidates for national elective positions, subject to such conditions and restrictions that the Comelec may impose.
Aside from Refugio, other ICPO cops assigned to Gonzalez are Leonardo Espulgar, Cesar Pinuela, and Rolex C. Refugio.
Refugio, who entered the PNP service in 1996, is with the Jaro Police Station before he was detailed as security detail for Gonzalez, whose son, Raul, Jr., is seeking for a re-election as congressman in the lone district of Iloilo City.
PO1 Refugio’s name hugged the limelight after he allegedly harassed the children of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas while giving relief goods to fire victims inside the Nabitasan Elementary School.
Mayor Treñas was allegedly irked when PO1 Refugio was not arrested or brought to the police station for questioning after his children reported the incident to the police.
Video footages showed that another man arrived at the scene and brought Refugio to a waiting vehicle.
But according to La Paz Police Station commander Senior Insp. Alexander Rosales, they invited Refugio at the police station.
The cop allegedly told responding policemen that he would go but until yesterday afternoon, Refugio has not set foot at La Paz Police Station.
“We could not arrest him right away because we have no personal knowledge of the incident. Because it was just an invitation, we could not force him to go with us,” Rosales said.
Because of the alleged lapses of his policemen, Rosales said that he already ordered a probe against the 5 responding cops headed by La Paz PNP deputy chief Insp. Jerry Filosopo.
