Cop clears his name on death of Casiban

One of the policemen linked to the death of PO2 Ryan Casiban has submitted an affidavit to the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) to clear his name.

But details about the testimonies of PO3 Jonathan Tajanlangit were not fully disclosed to the media, while an investigation is being conducted by the CPPO and the Regional Investigation Detection and Management Branch (RIDMB).

“We could not make any conclusions for now. We’re looking into all possible angles of the case,” said Supt. Brendo Nacario, CPPO spokesperson.

Before his body was found dead, Casiban allegedly informed the chief of the Cordova police that Tajanlangit was threatening him.

Tajanlangit was directed to appear before the RIDMB, said Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7).

Based on the autopsy report, Casiban sustained a gunshot wound on the right side of his head.

He was reportedly shot at close range.

Police investigators have yet to determine whether the gun used in the crime was the victim’s service firearm.

Nacario said they would have wanted to conduct a paraffin test on Casiban to check for traces of gunpowder and determine whether or not the policeman pulled the trigger before he died.

However, Nacario said Casiban’s body was already in a state of decomposition.

“It’s now hard to conduct a paraffin test,” he said.

Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has instructed the PRO-7 to conduct a thorough investigation on the death of Casiban.

Casiban left his post as desk officer of the police station in Cordova town on Mactan Island last Aug. 10 at 3 a.m. on board a motorcycle, bringing with him his government-issued M-16 rifle, even if his shift had yet to end.

Two days after, his decomposing body was found on a vacant lot near a firing range in Lapu-Lapu City, with a bullet wound in the head.

Investigators were looking into the possibility that Casiban’s death was connected to entries he wrote in the police blotter before he disappeared.

The 37-year-old policeman wrote blotter entries that accused retired generals Vicente Loot and Marcelo Garbo of being involved in illegal drugs.

One of Casiban’s entries read: “Gen. Garbo and Gen. Loot are drug syndicate of the Phils. Because of money protected by his men, PNP organization to stop illegal drugs.” The policeman signed the entry.

Another entry, on Page 153, reads: “Gen. Garbo and Gen. Loot drug syndicate of the Phils. Because of big drug money protected by his men PNP organization.”

Loot, now mayor of Daanbantayan town, said he didn’t know Casiban even when he was still active in the police service. Garbo could not be reached for comment.

Tajanlangit used to supervise Loot’s pumpboat in Cebu and the former allegedly requested Casiban to guard the retired general’s sea vessel on some instances, said Supt. Nacario.

But for now, he said they don’t have enough evidence to link Loot and Garbo to Casiban.

Casiban was assigned at the CPPO two months after Loot relinquished his post as director of CPPO on Jan. 12, 2007.

“Wa gani ni sila mag-abot sa CPPO (They didn’t have the chance to work together in one unit),” Nacario said.