2 cops sue tanods for gun possession

Two policemen, earlier accused by tanods of barangay Lorega-San Miguel of harassing them after they arrested five suspected drug users, have filed a criminal case against two of the tanods.

Policemen Adolfo Morales and Dhonel Salazar, assigned with the Parian Police Station charged tanods Nestor Supapo and Brian Mabaga before the Cebu City prosecutors office for illegal possession of firearms.

Supapo's surname is spelled "Sugapo" in the complaint.

The tanods claimed the filing of charges was in retaliation for the resolution adopted by barangay council of Lorega-San Miguel condemning the acts of Morales and Salazar.

"Dili tinuod nga nakuhaan mi nila og armas. Gibutang-butangan ra mi ana nila aron sila makabawos. Kon tinuod pa, nganong karon pa man mi nila gikiha?" said Mabaga and Supapo.

But the policemen insisted that they seized 38 caliber revolvers from each of Mabaga and Supapo after the arrested suspects claimed the tanods were armed.

Aside from furnishing a copy of the resolution to the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council headed by Vice Mayor Michael Rama, the tanods also filed a complaint against the two policemen before the People's Law Enforcement Board.

The tanods said Morales and Salazar, who were believed to be under the influence of liquor, harassed them by scolding them and drew their guns while they were inside the police station at about 1 a.m. of December 9.

Supapo and Mabaga said they went to Parian police station that day to turn over the six suspects they arrested for sniffing shabu at sitio Laguna in barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

One of the suspects named Glenford Alterado, 28, of sitio San Miguel yielded a .38 caliber homemade revolver, but without a firing pin.

The barangay council is seeking the transfer of Morales and Salazar to another place out of the city. - Rene U. Borromeo