Lozano task group spokesman sacked over ‘irresponsible statement’

The spokesman for the police task force looking into the killing of Emerson Lozano, son of Marcos lawyer Oliver Lozano, has been sacked for alleged irresponsible statement. Senior Superintendent Romano Cardino was relieved of his post after he was quoted in media reports as saying that Venson Evangelista, who was killed on the same week as Lozano, had ties with the notorious Dominguez carnapping syndicate. “I would like to announce that I relieve the spokesperson of [Special Investigation Task Group] Lozano for what came out in the papers today regarding unverified and untrue allegations," said Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, task force head. The charred remains of Lozano and Evangelista, both car dealers, were found in different Central Luzon provinces days after they were reported missing. Cardino was quoted in reports as saying that Evangelista might have been killed after the Dominguez group suspected him of tipping informers about the group’s hideout in Mandaluyong City. Eight vehicles were recovered when police raided the safe house late last year. Estipona said they have no information so far that would link both Evangelista and Lozano to any carjacking group. “For me this is a very irresponsible and untrue statement that’s why effective today he is relieved as spokesperson of SITG Lozano," said Estipona of Cardino. Estipona, who will now be the concurrent spokesman of the task force, apologized to Evangelista’s father, Boy, for the “mistake." - KBK, GMANews.TV