CIDG-8 focuses on internal cleansing after surrender of Supt. Marcos, 18 other cops

TACLOBAN CITY, March 21 (PNA) – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regional office here is stepping up its internal cleansing drive after their former regional chief and 18 others surrendered on Monday over their alleged involvement in killing detained Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. on Nov. 5, 2016.

Supt. Jason M. Aguillon, the new regional chief of CIDG in Eastern Visayas (Region 8), vowed "that no one among the 19 new personnel will be involved again in any unlawful activities."

We have learned from those mistakes and we are now moving on. The CIDG regional office has laid out strategies to clean up our forces to ensure that they will not be engaged in any criminal activities, especially on drugs,” Aguillon said.

The new CIDG regional chief is also pushing to improve the spirituality of the CIDG personnel by holding a mass every Friday.

“CIDG operatives will have to undergo refresher courses on criminal procedure, interview techniques and intelligence,” he added. “We are also trying to impose stricter selection process during hiring and more in depth family background check among applicants.”

On Monday morning, former CIDG Region 8 head Supt. Marvin Marcos surrendered at the CIDG-8 office in this city with 18 other CIDG operatives.

They surrendered after Judge Carlos Arguelles of the Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Baybay City issued arrest warrants against them for the slaying of Espinosa at the Baybay sub-provincial jail.

Espinosa, the father of detained big time drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, was named by President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the country’s local chief executives with drug links.

The erring police officers are now detained at the CIDG regional office. No bail was recommended for their release.

Aside from Marcos, also named in the arrest warrants were Supt. Santi Noel Matira, Chief Insp. Leo Larraga, Senior Insp. Fritz Blanco, Senior Insp. Doegracias Diaz, Insp. Lucredito Candilosas, SPO4 Melvin Cayubit, PO3 Johnny Ibañez, SPO4 Juanito Duarte, PO1 Lloyd Ortigueza, PO1 Bhernard Orpilla, SPO2 Benjamin Dacallos, PO3 Norman Abellanosa, PO1 Jerlans Cabiyaan, PO1 Clixto Canillas Jr., SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo, PO2 John Ruel Doculan and PO2 Jaime Dacsal.

Both the National Bureau of Investigation and the Senate found that these 19 CIDG officials allegedly plotted the mayor’s death. (PNA)
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