Three former chiefs of the Cebu City Police Office Theft and Robbery Section (TRS) were indicted for using a recovered vehicle that was impounded by the police.
The Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) found probable cause to indict Chief Insp. Noli Cernio, Insp. William Alicaba and Insp. Elisandro Quijano for “less grave neglect of duty” for violating National Police Commission (Napolcom) rules.
The IDMB, in a five-page order, said that using the impounded vehicle for public purposes may be a good reason, but the officers failed to secure a written authority from Cebu City Police chief Senior Supt. Noli Romana.
The IDMB recommended the case to be elevated for “summary hearing” to determine the extent of the officers’ administrative liability, and for them to offer controverting evidence.
The vehicle in question is an abandoned Mitsubishi Lancer with no registration.
Cernio said that like his predecessors, he used the vehicle for duty purposes like filing cases and doing follow-ups, when he assumed as TRS chief.
Last August 21, Cernio said he returned the vehicle after repairs.