3 cops linked in gun-for-hire activities
The Police Regional Office (PRO) VI hierarchy ordered an investigation on the alleged connection of three policemen in gun-for-hire activities in Iloilo province.
PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas directed Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) chief Senior Supt. Renato Gumban to look into the veracity of the information linking three members of Tigbauan Police Station in gun-for-hire operations.
Although the PNP is seriously looking into the allegations, it also considers the motive behind the implication of PO3 Lorenzo Tacardon, radio operator; PO2 Ramon Cadiz, patrol driver; and investigator SPO2 Ronaldo Tumalaytay.
The information was sent through a radio station by email from a sender “Hillsong United.”
The sender claimed of “ongoing unlawful act of Tigbauan Municipal Police Officers and the members of 326 detachment located at Tigbauan, Iloilo. The above law enforcers are engaging in illegal activities such as “guns for hire”. They are taking care of the group of ex-communicated members of RPA-ABB which is headed by Sol Ledesma and the so-called Joven, both residents of Tigbauan, Iloilo.
The email sender claimed that the law officers are taking their shares from the payments of the two RPA-ABB members.
“No wonder why there are lots of unsolved murder cases in the municipality. At present, despite the gun ban, the group of outlaw are free to roam around the municipality and free to threat ordinary civilians at night, resulting to blind obedience of the community to them. In fact, they are given by the law enforcers special treatment when it comes to transportation, communication, and ammunition,” the email message added.
The sender alleged that the residents are afraid to make a formal complaint it might jeopardize their lives.
“As a concerned and respectful citizen to the law of the land, I want the media to handle this situation and expose their insanity to the government and to the National office of PNP at Camp Crame,” the sender added giving his contact number claiming that he is willing to interviewed over the phone.
Good men
Amid the allegations against his men, Tigbauan Police Station chief Insp. Abner Jordan claimed that he is willing that a background check will be made not only on his three personnel but on the entire Tigbauan cops, as well to include him.
“I have known them to be good persons and it seems that they could not do the said operations, as alleged in the email message,” he said.
For Jordan, it could be a sort harassment by people who were previously arrested by the three cops.
He claimed that they are open for an investigation from outside units just to do away with the thought of possible white wash.
Meanwhile, Gumban challenged the sender to come out in the open.
The IPPO chief assured of protection if the sender is willing to surface to stand by his allegations.
“If he knew that what he’s saying is true, he could make a sworn statement to prove his claims and we would do appropriate sanctions on our personnel,” Gumban assured.
