Rep. Erwin Tulfo and driver/bodyguard of Chinese nationals who also served as police informant after he surrendered. Photo courtesy: Office of Rep. Erwin Tulfo
THE driver/bodyguard of four Chinese nationals who were allegedly abducted, arbitrary detained and robbed by cops assigned in Southern Police District (SPD) in September last year in Paranaque, personally surrendered to House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo, Thursday morning.
The suspect, Michael Novecio, who served as driver and bodyguard of the four victims admitted that he was used as informant of the erring cops involved in the said crime.
For fear for his life, Novecio sought Tulfo’s help to surrender to Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, Chair of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, currently investigating the case, in aid of legislation in Congress.
On Thursday noon, Tulfo immediately turned over Novecio to Fernandez at the House of Representatives.
“Napanood niya ang hearing natin nung isang araw, kaya raw siya sumuko sa aming tanggapan,” Tulfo told Fernandez. “Hindi na raw niya alam kung sino ang kalaban niya. May humahabol daw sa kanya na mga grupo ng mga Chinese at hinahabol din siya ng mga grupo ng pulis,” Tulfo added.
On January 30, the House of Representatives issued a warrant of arrest against Novecio for continuously refusing to appear in their hearings. regarding the illegal arrest, abduction, and robbery of the four Chinese nationals involving police assigned to SPD[1]Detective and Special Operations Unit (DSOU).
“Ang reason kaya inilabas namin ang picture niya kasi siya yung pinaka-kasama ng mga Chinese nationals. Siya ang nakakaalam kung anong pera meron dun at kung ano ang mga negosyo (ng mga Chinese nationals),” Fernandez said. Fernandez promptly instructed House Secretary General Reginald Velasco to provide protection to the surrendered suspect, as he expressed gratitude for the trust in Congress.
“Siguro ang gagawin natin i-secure muna natin ito. Thank you for surrendering to us and for trusting us Congress under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Rest assured na po-protektahan ka namin dito,” Fernandez averred.
According to Tulfo and Fernandez, Novecio’s surrender ensures a smoother and speedy investigation in Congress.
