Fake CIDG agent nabbed

By Johnny R. Reblando

People's Journal

OLONGAPO City - A fake Criminal Investigation and Detection Group officer was nabbed by joint operatives of the Zambales Criminal Investigation and Detection Team and Olongapo City Mobile Group in Barangay West Bajac-Bajac Wednesday afternoon.

ZCIDT provincial officer Supt. Christopher Tambungan identified the suspect as Leo Regala, of Barangay East Bajac-Bajac.

Rosielyn Bon of Globe Telecom called up PO1 Daniel Ryan Manalang of OCMG asking him why her customer Leo Regala had a gun tucked in his waist.

The operatives asked the suspect why he has a gun. Regala introduced himself as Captain Regala of the PNP-CIDG Anti-Carnapping Unit in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga. He even showed his PNP-CIDG control tag to the lawmen. Upon verification, Regala turned out to be a fake CIDG officer.

When lawmen tried to arrest him, Regala fled on a scooter (CQ-4483), but he was collared by lawmen in the area.

Recovered from the suspect were a PNP-CIDG control tag and a toy gun ASGK, a lookalike of cal. .9mm pistol with a magazine.

CIDG revokes civilian agents' IDs

Fed up with reports about the rampant extortion activities using police issued-identification cards, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has revoked all the identification cards (IDs) it issued to civilian agents.

"This is a bid to curb reports that IDs were used in mulcting private individuals, companies and even government agencies," said Chief Supt. Jesus Versoza, CIDG chief.

Versoza even encouraged the public to report to his office and other law enforcement agencies any individual carrying CIDG confidential agent IDs for them to be punished.

What prompted Versoza to revoke the identification cards issued by past CIDG directors to civilian agents were the reports that some people are using the ID to share booty on smuggled goods at the Customs, seaports and airports.

Some of them, the report added, are even ensuring the smooth release of contrabands at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Versoza said they are already conducting investigation on some people operating at the MICP and Port of Manila. He, however, refused to divulge the names of the erring CIDG agents. (Aaron B. Recuenco - Tempo)