Detained cop linked to another rob case

A taxi driver has showed up at the Fuente Police Station and claimed he was also victim of robbery perpetrated by a traffic policeman and his cohort.

Ronald Nabotas yesterday said PO2 Leonilo Manuel and Benito Abear held him up last Feb. 2 in barangay Talamban in Cebu City.

The two suspects  were in detention after they were implicated in a separate robbery-holdup case.

Nabotas went to the police station after the policeman’s arrest was publicized in the media.

He said the two boarded his taxi in barangay Duljo-Fatima and upon reaching Talamban, Abear choked him while Manuel pointed a knife at him.  They then allegedly took his earnings amounting to P1,800 as well as his car keys.

Senior Insp. Jose Gesto, chief of the Talamban Police Station, said he will convince Nabotas to file a case against Manuel and Abear.

Manuel refused to comment on Nabotas’ allegations while Abear denied any participation in the crime.

Yesterday, the Fuente police filed the case of robbery against Manuel and Abear for allegedly robbing Rochel Cueco on Wednesday dawn on R. Landon St., Cebu City.
Aside from Manuel, another Cebu City policeman, PO1 Joseph Tabotabo, is facing an administrative investigation.

Tabotabo was accused of punching a waiter of a bar who accidentally spilled a drink on him.

Chief Insp. Aileen Recla, head of the Investigation and Detective Management (IMDB), said they already ordered Tabotabo of the Traffic Police and Manuel of the Cebu City Public Safety to submit their explanations.

If proven guilty, the two may be dismissed from service.  Recla said Manuel will be facing three administrative charges for absence without official leave (AWOL), for pawning his service firearm and for  his alleged involvement in a robbery.

In Tabotabo’s case, Recla said that even if he was off duty when he punched a waiter Tuesday evening, he will still be investigated for his behavior.