Former cop cleared in policeman’s murder

A former policeman who was invited for questioning in connection with the killing of PO2 Gerlito Estremos was released after witnesses failed to identify him as one of the assailants.

Estremos of the Fuente Police Station in Cebu City was killed in barangay Kamagayan last Saturday.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), refused to identify the former policeman who was with the CCPO.

Natu-el said the former policeman was dismissed from the police service twice. He was first dismissed in 2011 after he was found positive for illegal drugs use.

The former policeman was reinstated only to be dismissed again for being absent without leave (AWOL).

It was not established what was the connection between the former policeman and Ian Canseco whom witnesses identified as the one who allegedly mauled Estremos before the policeman was fatally shot.

Canseco was arrested on Monday night in barangay Kamagayan based on a warrant issued by Judge Samuel Malazarte of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court on March 19.

Police said Canseco is facing drug charges.

Police said Canseco was the man in the video footage of a bank’s security camera mauling Estremos on the sidewalk of Junquera and P. del Rosario Streets.

Police said one of the witnesses claimed he was driving his car and stopped for traffic at the intersection when he saw two men ganging up on the victim in front of a bank.

The witness said he saw the face of Canceco since the headlight of the car was directed at him.

The actual shooting was not captured./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON