'Interpol commander' denies
extortion claim vs. his group

"International Police general" Julio Quirino, who was arrested with four others after staging an assault at Police Precinct 3 in Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City Thursday, yesterday, belied the allegation that his group had been extorting money in the guise of recruiting security guards.

Quirino, yesterday told the DAILY STAR, that the INTERPOL organization does not engage in any recruitment activities because that is not included in their program.

"We did not receive even a single centavo from anyone," Quirino said, adding, "The Interpol is not recruiting security guards to be trained under the supervision of the organization."

He said the "Interpol" does not recruit members, but accepts a new one through endorsement and absorption. A new member should undergo qualifying exams and training, he added.

Bacolod City police director Senior Supt. Pedro Merced had earlier said that he received reports that Quirino's group had been extorting money in the guise of recruiting security guards.

+++ Merced said they will file extortion charges against Quirino and his group as soon as they gather enough evidences and affidavits from witnesses.

Quirino said they are also preparing countercharges against the Bacolod police for illegal detention.

Meanwhile, Quirino said the "International Police" or "Police of the World" is involved in a multi-nation membership under the United Nations. Its operation is highly clandestine and the identities of the people behind it are highly confidential, he claimed.

He claims their function is parallel to that of the Philippine National Police, but they are more focused on international matters and do not intervene in the activities of local police units.

Quirino, who claims to have been an "Interpol" member for 40 years, said the organization has about 3,000 members in Negros Occidental.

Quirino and four of his "officers" were still detained in the lock-up cell of Police Precinct 3 yesterday, while direct assault against a person in authority and illegal possession of firearms charges are expected to be filed against them at the City Prosecutor's Office today.*DMG

back to top

Bago resident killed,
2 hurt in road mishap

A Bago resident was killed while two of his companions were seriously injured when their motorcycle collided with a taxicab in front of Jewel's Palmunitan in Brgy. Palaka, Valladolid town, Negros Occidental Saturday.

Dead on the spot was Edgar Vallarias of Purok Taklaron, Malingin, Bago City, while Guillermo Ortebano, 31, of Bagumbayan, Valladolid and Rommel Teodoro, 30, of Malingin, Bago City were rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod with injuries in their legs and arms, hospital reports said.

Initial reports said Villarias, driver of the Aura motorcycle, with Teodoro and Ortebano, were traveling south to north of the road when the taxi with Plate Number FVD-569 that was traveling in the opposite direction hit them.

The police had not unidentified the driver of the taxi up to press time last night.*DMG

back to top