THE CEBU City Police Office is set this week to file charges for obstruction of justice, grave abuse of authority, and graft against Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña for taking custody of three men arrested last week for their illegal butane canister refilling business. Senior Supt. Royina Garma told The Freeman that Police Central Visayas Regional Director Debold M. Sinas has given the go signal to file the cases. “He (Mr. Osmeña) should not meddle with the work of the police. He should not have released those arrested inflagrante delicto (caugt in the act),” Ms. Garma said. Last Friday, cops from the Pari-an Police Station arrested three men for refilling butane canisters with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the T. Padilla Public Market. Insp. Emmanuel S. Lumancas, deputy chief of the Pari-an police, said the three were arrested in separate operations in line with ongoing efforts to crack down on refilling businesses as mandated by the Department of Energy. Mr. Osmeña arrived at the police station close to 11 p.m. that day and told the police on duty that he would be taking custody of the suspects. Mr. Osmeña has said he is ready to face possible charges, noting that his action was for “mercy” to poor people trying to make a living. — The Freeman

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