Patay sets aside ‘killer’ tag, warns criminals

Both his surname and track record indicate death.

But on his first day as chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7), Supt. Lito Patay said he’s not up for bloodbath in Cebu.

The champion marksman, who made the Batasan Police Station in Quezon City the deadliest police station in the country during his stint from July 2016 to June 2017, said that his primary job in Cebu is to assist the local police in investigating sensational cases. Shortly after his assumption to office, Patay met with Senior Supt. Royina Garma, his classmate in the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), in a closed-door meeting for three hours.

In an interview with reporters, Patay warned criminals to stop what they are doing.

“You will be arrested and prosecuted if you won’t stop,” he said.

But Patay refused to answer queries on his track record.

Supt. Patay said that he needed more operatives to assist him at CIDG-7 but he did not specify if his so-called “Davao Boys” will also be joining him here.

The Davao Boys, a group consisting of 10 policemen, joined Patay at his Quezon City police station assignment in 2016.

Asked if he will also investigate businessman Peter Lim who was earlier tagged as a drug lord by President Rodrigo Duterte, Patay replied: “Kinsa diay na si Peter Lim? Naa diay na siya diri?” before giving reporters a huge smile.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña for his part refused to comment on Patay’s assumption, saying that he does not know the police official.

Gov. Hilario Davide III and Board Member Sun Shimura, the stepson of Mayor Vicente Loot, expressed hopes that Patay will truly serve and protect the Cebuanos.