The police is on alert for any attempt by members of the so-called "International Police" to rescue their "world commander" and four of his "officers' from detention at Police Precinct 3 in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, Bacolod police director, said yesterday.

We do not believe they are capable of mounting a rescue but we are prepared for them, Merced said.

Merced said the police will also crack down on other members of the "International Police" for illegal possession of firearms.

Charges of direct assault against a person in authority and illegal possession of firearms are being readied against "General" Julio Quirino, who claims to be the INTERPOL world commander, and four of his "officers" who were jailed Thursday night for staging an "assault" in Police Precinct 3.

Merced said he believes the "International Police" is not a legal organization. The Philippine National Police and other government agencies have not been advised about the existence of the organization that allegedly has functions parallel to that of the PNP, Merced said.

"If they are a legal organization, why are they carrying loose firearms?" Merced asked.

He challenged the "Interpol" members to prove that they are legally connected with the United Nations. He said the identification cards presented by Quirino and his companions before the Police Precinct are not enough to substantiate their claims.

Merced said the police received information that the Interpol members were staying at a safehouse in Bacolod but when they checked the area after Quirino's arrest they were no longer there.

They are believed to have short firearms but they are not very many, Merced said.

Senior Insp. Joeresty Coronica, Precinct 3 commander, yesterday told the DAILY STAR, Quirino was subjected to a paraffin test, and his .45 caliber pistol was scheduled for cotton swabbing at the Bacolod Crime Laboratory yesterday afternoon. The results are expected to be released on Monday, he added.

Merced said the paraffin test is necessary to prove that Quirino indeed fired his firearm inside Precinct 3 after he demanded the release of one of his "officers" who had been apprehended by the police. Police reports said "Captain" Norman Aliguin Bitar, 34, also of the "Interpol", was arrested by the police when his motorcycle hit a child in Brgy. Bata at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday and a .45 caliber pistol with a magazine loaded with five live bullets was later recovered from him.

Soon after Bitar was detained, Quirino, who appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor, stormed into the police precinct with his companions, and berated the policemen.

Detained in Precinct 3, with Quirino and Bitar are "Colonel" Manuel Basa, "Captain" Julius Santillan, and "Captain" Rolando Espanola, all claiming to be members of the alleged "Interpol".

The DAILY STAR tried to get their side yesterday, but they refused to comment on the incident.

Merced said he also received reports that Quirino's group had been extorting money in the guise of recruiting security guards. As soon as we have all the affidavits of witnesses we will also file extortion charges against them, Merced said.*DMG

back to top