Cop named by Duterte told to clear self at Crame

CEBU CITY-SP02 Jomar Ybañez was securing the triathletes joining the Cobra Ironman 70.3 km in Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday when he learned that he was among those named by President Rodrigo Duterte alleged drug protectors.

Still, Ybañez (named as P02 Jomar Ibañez in the list) went on to serve as one of the security personnel during the event until he talked to Sr. Supt. Rommel Bernardo Cabagnot, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director, about 11 a.m.

Cabagnot said Ybañez vehemently denied that he was involved in drugs or served as drug protector but believed he was dragged into this controversy because he was then part of the police unit tasked to conduct anti-illegal drug campaign.

Ybañez is now assigned at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Station 5. But he was assigned before at the Regional Anti-Illegal Special Operations Task Force in Central Visayas (RAIDSOTF 7), Cabagnot said.

“I told him to report Camp Crame if he was innocent,” Cabagnot said.

Cabagnot said he brought Ybañez to Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, police director for Central Visayas, who was at the Ironman venue.

Cabagnot said Taliño also advised Ybañez to report to Camp Crame so he could clear his name.
Cabagnot said he let Ybañez returned to the police station after their conversation so could relax. He said Ybañez seemed very sad during their conversation.

While Ybañez wants to go to Camp Crame on Monday but Cabagnot said, this would depend on the availability of the flight because most of the athletes would be going back also to Manila.
Other policemen from Lapu-Lapu City who knew Ybañez said they were shocked to learn that he was in the list because they did not hear any derogatory report about him.