By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18) director, Police Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban, will be ordering an investigation into the new claims by former Berya drug group member Ricky Serenio made in his supplemental affidavits, which included additional links between Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent William Señoron, and the drug group.
Gumban said he has yet to read the latest documents as he is busy with preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting taking place in Bacolod City this week.
“If he has new revelations in his affidavits, then we will investigate,” he stated.
He added he would also probe all officials named in the new affidavits.
Over the weekend, Serenio’s camp released their supplemental affidavit alleging additional links between Señoron and several other high ranking law enforcement officials with the Berya drug group.
Serenio also claimed the NOPPO director has links to slain Iloilo drug lord Melvin Odicta, Sr. and received P1.2 million in protection money when he was head of the Regional Intelligence Unit-6 (RIU-6).
Serenio was earlier arrested in Talisay City in January of this year, after the court issued an arrest warrant for the charge of grave coercion.
However, he was released from prison last Thursday, after posting bail for his criminal charges. PRO-18 spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, said, although Serenio is temporarily free, he is currently at an undisclosed location in Pulupandan./WDJ