ILOILO City – A police officer suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for six months has returned to work.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Pinuela confirmed having completed his suspension on Aug. 16. He thus reported to his temporary assignment, the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) at the Police Regional Office 6 on Aug. 17.
Pinuela’s suspension took effect on Feb. 16. He was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The dispositive portion of the decision rendered by the Ombudsman – Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO) stated that, “There being a mitigating circumstance of numerous awards for exemplary work and no aggravating circumstances, he is meted the penalty of suspension from the service for six months and one day without pay.”
His case stemmed from a complaint over an incident that happened several days before the May 2019 elections when he was still assigned at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
The decision dated Aug. 23, 2021 was penned by Stephanie Tabladillo-Yanson, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer of Ombudsman MOLEO, which exercises jurisdiction over members of the military and other law enforcement offices.0
Pinuela, however, was exonerated from the charges of grave coercion and violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
“I’m happy nga nakabalik na ako kag maka serbisyo kita sa pumuluyo,” Pinuela said.
The complainant was Jeffrey Mar Labestre Agub, a personnel who works for the Biron Foundation.
The incident happened May 9, 2019 in front of the Biron Foundation office located on JT Bretaña Street, Barangay Ilaya Poblacion, Barotac Nuevo./PN
