Former Dagupan's police chief Sentenced to Life, Surrendered

Detained Police Lt. Colonel Borromeo evangelized to
 fellow police officers.

MANILAPhilippines - Superintendent Dioniso Borromeo surrendered to authorities after being sentenced to life imprisonment for protecting a shabu laboratory in La Union province, Calabarzon Regional Director Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona said on Thursday. Estipona said Borromeo, a former assistant provincial director for administration of Cavite police, surrendered around 5 p.m. Wednesday after he was contacted by Senior Supt. Alexander Rafael, Cavite provincial director, about the decision of Branch 67 of the Regional Trial Court of Bauang, La Union on a drug case he was involved in. Judge Ferdinand Fe found Borromeo guilty of protecting a laboratory of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in Bimmotobot, Naguilian, La Union that was raided in 2008.
 The copy of the arrest order was received through fax around 10 a.m. Thursday. He said Borromeo is now under the custody of the Cavite Provincial Police Office.
Along with Borromeo, Fe also handed a guilty verdict on non-commissioned officer Police Officer 3 Joey Abang. Aside from life imprisonment, Borromeo was also slapped with a P10-million penalty, while Abang was sentenced to imprisonment of no less than 12 years and one day, to a maximum of 20 years. He was also made to pay a P500,000 fine.
 Supt. Rommel Estolano, Cavite police spokesman, said Borromeo will be turned over to the court of origin in La Union on Monday. For his part, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said this development in the case brought a strong message to the public that “there is no sacred cow” when it comes to the implementation of drug laws. “Ito ay magandang mensahe na meron tayong batas. Colonel, pulis or hindi, mananagot ka sa mga kasalanang ginawa mo,” Cerbo said. Cerbo said Borromeo has been relieved from his position, while his dismissal papers are already being prepared. (TV5).