2 high-ranking cops detained as House probes ‘abduction’ of Chinese nationals

The House Committee on Public Order and Safety on Monday cited in contempt a police brigadier general and a police colonel in connection with the alleged unlawful arrest of four Chinese nationals.

Police Brigadier General Roderick D. Mariano, former director of the Southern Police District (SPD), and Police Colonel Charlie Cabradilla, former SPD comptroller head, are detained in Congress for 30 days.

“Let us cite these people in contempt,” House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo said during the inquiry.

“Obvious na obvious po na nagsisinungaling ka. Obvious na obvious po na pinagtatakpan ka. Obvious po na pinipili ng mga tao mo sa ilalim, ayaw ka ituro,” he told Mariano.

(It's obvious that you're lying. It's obvious that you're being covered up. It's obvious that your people do not want to implicate you.)

The Committee also approved the motion extending for 15 days the detention of six other police officers who were initially cited in contempt and detained in the past House hearing.

These police officers were Police Lieutenant Colonel Jolet T. Guevara, Police Major Jason D. Quijana, Police Major John Patrick Magsalos, Police Staff Sergeant Roy G. Pioquinto, Police Staff Sergeant Mark J. Democrito, and Police Staff Sergeant Danilo L. Desder.

Recently, the driver/bodyguard of four Chinese citizens turned himself in in connection with his employers' abduction, allegedly by police officers.

Michael Novecio surrendered to Tulfo and said that he was used as an informant by the SPD Detective and Special Operations Unit (SPD-DSOU) cops who allegedly arbitrarily detained and robbed the victims in September 2023. — BM, GMA Integrated News