What a fitting time for a new chief of police (COP) who took over the reins of the Tagbilaran City Police Station Wednesday when he found out that the first order of business was to crack a possible arson case involving the computer shop of his own brother. This and more high profile cases will definitely steal the thunder out of newly minted Senior Police Supt. Arcadio Jamora, Jr. as he was sworn in as new city police chief vice Senior Police Supt. Julius Cesar Gornez Wednesday. An inventory of high profile cases which the new COP inherited from his predecessor included that of the death of a religious pastor, another unsolved murder in sitio Lanao, in Dampas, and the sensational killing of a student of the Grace Christian School. All three cases and other unheralded crimes remained unsolved as of last press time. The possible arson incident involving the B & J Computer and Electronic Service along Gallares St., this city, gained prominence after its proprietor Benjie Jamora, younger brother of the new police chief, was dragged in at least two celebrated cases involving prominent personalities in his Facebook account.
The younger Jamora decried the use of his Facebook which posted the name of City Mayor Dan Neri Lim as having died on his birthday. In another incident, it was posted in another Facebook scam that V-Mayor Jodel Theodore Cabajug of Baclayon was facing a string of criminal cases including rape, estafa and graft and corruption. Crying foul, the Baclayon vice mayor issued a disclaimer that there was no truth to the Facebook posting adding that he was not in any way facing any criminal complaint. As a result of the Facebook scam, Jamora also issued an advisory disowning the malicious entries in the counterfeit account on Facebook under his name. In the latest case involving his shop, Jamora held no punches that it was the handwork of his enemies who were out to destroy the name he has invested in this city's business environment. The B & J name has become a byword in computer units that it has branches in several places outside this city.
Describing the situation in his shop while it was ablaze, Jamora said as the pile of computer cartons went up in smoke he has no second thought in his suspicion that it was a case of arson and robbery. Upon inspection, the computer shop owner smelled the scent of gasoline in the vicinity, and indication that the suspects used an inflammable object to light up his shop. According to the account of eyewitnesses identified as Joel Calceta and Jong-jong Morella, the fire started at about 6:00 am on May 1. Since the fire station was located a hundred of meters away from the fire scene, it was gathered that the shop was already in flames when the three fire trucks arrived. An initial report of the investigation showed that the fire started from a pile of boxes containing printers and CPU casings and has spread to other flammable materials like printer inks and speakers. The estimated cost of damage was over P180,000.. Subsequent investigation made by FO1 Amiel V. Lopena, fire /arson Investigator revealed that there was a strong indication that it was intentional and therefore a case of arson. A hint of robbery was also considered by investigators as evidenced from the broken door locks, the entry point of the suspect as they broke into the shop. Some items were reported missing as a result of the break in.
NEW COP SWEARS IN
Meanwhile, the new chief of police who assumed his new assignment Wednesday vowed to introduce reforms in the city police service. In ceremonies marking the turnover of command, Supt. Jamora reiterated the police vow adding that ang pagserbisyo sa katawhan dapat God-centered, Service-oriented ug family-based. (Service to the people must be God-centered, service-oriented and family based). According to PSupt Jamora, his focus was on checking the physical set-up and priorities of the Tagbilaran City Police. He also said he was reviewing the past documents and systems and evaluating its efficiency and effectiveness to be able to suggest developments and changes of the existing programs and propose new ones. He further stated the he shall also focus on the enforcement of laws, the maintenance of peace and order and public safety. Chief Supt. Constantino Paul Barot, Jr. provincial director, presided over the turnover of command at the city police station grounds at the old city hall building. (With reports from Nicole Galero, Kristine Ting, Katherine Ting)
. By: Ruby Digal ( HNU intern) |
