Bato dela Rosa: PNP official caught in Bohol ‘sleeping with the enemy’

Sleeping with the enemy.

This was how Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa described Monday Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza who was arrested in Bohol with suspected bomb expert Reenor Lou Dungon alias Kudre found to be her boyfriend.

“Lumabas sa initial investigation, she is a balik-Islam and she is romantically involved or romantically linked with the driver (of the vehicle) Dungon.  Mag-uyab sila, mag-boyfriend/girlfriend,” Dela Rosa during a press conference.

He said Nobleza, deputy regional director of the Davao Regional Police Office's Crime Laboratory, was not arrested for her mere romantic relationship with Dungon but for their failure to stop at a checkpoint when flagged down and her alleged connection with the Abu Sayyaf.

Dungon is a relative of slain Abu Sayyaf leader and founder Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani.

“Kung ano ang ginagawa niya hindi na sakop ng PNP, yung pakikipagrelasyon niya sa Abu Sayyaf, yung kanyang pag-balik-Islam. Ito may overt acts na ginawa kaya siya nahuli. Nahuli siya at kakasuhan natin siya dahil sa kriminal na kaso at administratively,  siguradong tatanggalin natin siya sa serbisyo. She is sleeping with the enemy,” he said.

“Dumaan yung pick-up sa checkpoint, pinflag down sila pero hindi sila tumigil. Suspek na sila dahil umiwas sa checkpoint. Nung-inaccost nalaman na policewoman pala ‘yung isa doon sa loob, bakit ‘yung policewoman, pulis at militar yung nagche-checkpoint bakit kayo umiiwas,” he added.

An initial police report showed Nobleza and Dungon, together with an elderly woman believed to be the mother-in-law of Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, Janjalani Khadafi, Abu Sulayman, and Akhmad Santos; and a teenager believed to a child of Santos were onboard a Nissan Navara with plate number FGN 270 at the time they were arrested.

Upon her arrest, Nobleza threw her cellphone but it was recovered by authorities. The cellphone allegedly had a record of a text message from an Abu Sayyaf member asking for rescue.

Nobleza claimed that she was on vacation in Bohol.

Dela Rosa said that Nobleza was a former member of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group. When the unit was dissolved, she returned to her mother unit, Crime Laboratory, which transferred her to Davao since there was a vacancy there at the time.

Asked if he thinks the PNP has been infiltrated by the Abu Sayyaf, the PNP chief replied in the negative.

“Hindi natin masabi na member siya ng Abu Sayyaf. Pwede siyang nagamit through her personal connections na naging boyfriend nga niya’yung Abu Sayyaf na si Dungon. Do you think yung mga ibang mga pulis natin dito or sundalo walang relative na nasa kabila? Meron,” he said.

“Personal choice na nila iyon kung maglipat na sila ng loyalty doon sa kabila then bahala sila. They have to consequences of their actions kaya nga ito ngayon tatanggalin sa serbisyo at kakasuhan natin,” he added.

Dela Rosa said he believes Nobreza let her heart reign over.

“Iyan ang sinasabi namin sa Bisaya na nabuang sa gugma, ‘yung naloko sa pag ibig ba. Dahil sa pagmamahal nya doon sa lalaki na Abu Sayyaf nagpagamit siya kung talagang rescue attempt ang ginawa nila. Ngayon nagpagamit siya so mahinang klaseng opisyal siya. Dapat tanggalin sa serbisyo,” he said.

High risk suspects

Dela Rosa said he asked Region 7 director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño to ask the court to let Nobleza and Dungon be detained at the PNP Custodial Center as they are high risk suspects.

“Ako rin mismo mas maganda kung dito sila sa Crame ikukulong dahil magiging high risk detainee sila doon. Dito dapat sa Crame ikulong kung i-grant ng court. I have advised the regional director na magmanifest sila sa court na yung detention nila or custody mailipat dito sa custodial center,” he said.

He said it would be better for the safety of the local government and the residents.

“Talagang high-risk sila. Marami magkakainteres sa kanila so kailangan ipapadala natin dito sa Crame para the people will be at peace na walang possibleng manggugulo sa kanila. Dito na lang guluhin n’yo Camp Crame para masaya tayo dito,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News