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Relieved MPD homicide division chief faces raps

By Allan A. Bergonia

11/21/2007

“Throw the books at them.”

This was the order given yesterday by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales after he ordered the relief of MPD’s homicide division chief and one of his investigators.

In his directive, Lim said appropriate charges should be instituted against relieved homicide chief Col. Alex Yanquiling and one of his men, SPO4 Benito Cabatbat, in connection with the complaint of slain Commission on Elections (Comelec) law department director Alioden Dalaig’s family that the latter’s jewelry had been switched with a fake one.

Dalaig’s children paid a visit to Lim yesterday morning to formally complain about what happened to them after they went to the MPD over the weekend to claim their father’s belongings.

Earlier, the children of Dalaig had sought Lim’s help when they discovered their father’s bracelet had been replaced with a fake one and that the homicide division refused to turn over to them the some P300,000 recovered from Dalaig supposedly because a politician from Bulacan was also claiming ownership of the money.

Armed with an order from Lim to have the matter probed and a letter from Comelec Commissioner Fernando Tuason requesting criminal investigation division unit chief Col. Nelson Yabut to facilitate the release of Dalaig’s jewelry, the victim’s family went to the MPD last Saturday.

To their surprise, the real bracelet of Dalaig surfaced and the money was finally given to them, but minus P7,000.

This incensed Lim who said: “Hindi pupuwede ang ganyan. Nagdadalamhati na nga `yung mga tao, ginaganyan pa.”

Lim said the family of Dalaig also told him the slain Comelec official’s two-carat diamond ring is yet to be given back to them.

“If this can be done to a promiment figure like Director Dalaig, can you imagine kung ano ang pupuwedeng sapitin ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan sa kamay ng mga ganitong klaseng pulis?” Lim said.

On several occasions, Lim had warned that while he would apply an iron-fisted stance against criminals, more so against law enforcers who will use their badge, uniform and position to oppress hapless civilians and engage in illegal activities.