Criminal raps filed vs ‘motornapper-cop’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The policeman who was accused of stealing a motorcycle in Pototan, Iloilo has been formally charged before the prosecution service.

A case for violation of Republic Act 10883 (The New Anti-Carnapping Law of the Philippines) was slapped against Corporal Darrel Dumaraog, a member of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 (RFMB-6) based at Barangay Agcalaga, Calinog, Iloilo afternoon of September 8 at the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutors Office.

Major Roy Tayona, Pototan police chief, said they also subjected Dumaraog to a drug test which he passed.

Since his arrest, the suspect didn’t talk much but answered personal questions when asked.

“As to his alleged involvement in the motor-napping, he remains tight-lipped,” Tauona said.

Aside from a criminal case, Dumaraog would also be facing administrative charges.

It can be noted that the debt-ridden Dumaraog was arrested in a hot pursuit operation following a motor-napping complaint.

He was collared at around 4 p.m. of the same day at RMFB 6 headquarters at Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay, Iloilo.

Police records indicated that the suspect allegedly drove off in the motorcycle owned by Barangay Captain Nicky Pescuela, 39, of Barangay Lopez Jaena Ward, Pototan, Iloilo.

The vehicle was parked at Pototan Public Plaza and was believed to have been stolen at around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Pescuela reported the incident to police authorities around 11 a.m.

During the police investigation, CCTV camera footage showed that a man drove the motorcycle to Barangay Rumbang, Pototan, Iloilo.

When the footage was shown to witnesses, the suspect’s landlady and board mates confirmed that Dumaraog drove the stolen motorcycle.

It was gathered that the 34-year-old suspect is renting a place in the area as he hails from Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City, Negros Occidental

Members of the Pototan Municipal Police Station and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Special Operations Group immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation until he was arrested.