Cop-suspects in journo slay now with Sinas– Camp Crame

CAMP Crame has confirmed that two former members of the Negros Oriental Police Office being sought for the murder last May of a broadcast journalist in Dumaguete City are now assigned at the office of National Capital Region Police Office, P/MGen. Debold Sinas.

Replying to a query made by the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC), P/BGen. Rolando J. Hinanay, acting director, Director for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), confirmed that both Police Executive Master Sergeant (PEMS) Melgin Drona Bulandres and, Reuel Divinagracia Piñero, remain in “active duty status” at the NCRPO.

Bulandres, Hinanay added, is now assigned at the regional investigation division (ORID) and Piñero at the regional personnel and records division (ORPRMD).

The NPC, as media partner of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) that is in charge of addressing all cases of violence against members of the press, was forced to seek the help of Camp Crame after Sinas refused to formally acknowledge that both policemen are now working at his office.

The two are being sought in connection with the ambush-slay of broadcast journalist, Rex Cornelio Pepino last May 5, 2020 in Dumaguete City while on his way home with his wife.

His murder again drew wide condemnation both here and abroad from local and international media and human rights organizations.

Prior to his murder, Pepino was working as an anchor at ’91.7 Original FM’ radio station. His death has been classified as “work-related” by the task force.

The task force, Cornelio’s family and other media groups headed by the NPC are convinced the policemen’s testimony would prove crucial in unmasking the brains behind his murder but which is now being frustrated by Sinas’ refusal to hand them over for questioning.

This, despite the Philippine National Police (PNP) also being a member of the task force headed by two Cabinet secretaries, Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Secretary Menardo Guevarra of the Department of Justice.

Only last August, Sinas and then PNP chief, P/Gen. Archie Gamboa, created another controversy when it was learned they allowed the use of the PNP helicopter just to fetch Piñero from Dumaguete City and bring him to Manila for his new assignment as it was the first time that the PNP helicopter was used for the benefit of an ordinary policeman.

Sinas also brushed off the reminder by NPC president, Paul M. Gutierrez, that he risked being accused of giving aid and comfort to two possible murder suspects and of obstruction of justice by simply ignoring any news related to Bulandres and Piñero and about the murder of Pepino.

Sinas, other sources said, is on the verge of being named as the new director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the retirement this November 10, 2020, of Chief PNP, P/General Camilo Cascolan.

(Note: As this issue went to bed, Pinoy Exposé is yet to confirm a report that Bulandres and Piñero had been ‘re-assigned’ back to PRO7).