Hearing on case involving cops erupts into argument

The hearing on the obstruction of justice case filed by four members of the Fuente Police Station against a member of the Punta Prinsesa Police Station   erupted into a heated argument yesterday morning.

The hearing was called by Police Supt. Daniel Sales, the Summary Hearing Officer at the Provincial Internal Affairs Service of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Earlier, PO2 Bernabe Alegado, PO2 Tremaine Sotto, PO1 Emmanuel Victor Blones and PO1 Christopher Torregosa filed a case for obstruction of justice against SPO3 Alfredo Amaro, who allegedly intervene in their drug operation in barangay Bulacao, Talisay City last February 28.

During the operation, the four policemen arrested two women - Mary Ann Buseco and Edna Ababon - whom they suspected of selling illegal drugs and detained them at the Fuente Police Station.

They accused that during their operation, Amaro was inside the house they raided, which is reportedly owned by Ababon’s sister, Amelia.

The Ababon family allegedly sought the help of Amaro, who then allegedly blocked the raiding policemen from bringing the two women to the Fuente Police Station.

Because of the incident, a charge for obstruction of justice was filed by the four policemen against Amaro before the Internal Affairs Service of the Cebu City Police Office.

But during yesterday’s hearing, trouble began when Amaro’s lawyer, Benjamin Bongon, questioned why Fuente Police Station chief Henry Biñas served as the lawyer of the four policemen.

A lawyer, Biñas got irked and answered that he got permission from former Philippine National Police director general Oscar Calderon.

But Bongon questioned such permission since Calderon is no longer the PNP chief, saying that it should came from new PNP director general Avelino Razon.

On the other hand, Biñas questioned about the many people present during the hearing and he wanted them out. But it was learned that they were Amaro’s witnesses who executed an affidavit on his behalf.

With the intervention of the PIAS personnel, the heated argument subsided and both sides agreed to continue the hearing. Following the heated argument, Biñas then asked for recess.

Sales said he decided to let both sides submit their position papers until December 3, and assured them to render his decision by December 21.

He also said he had also received a copy of the case against the four policemen filed by the two women before the Ombudsman for alleged planting of evidence.

With yesterday’s incident, Sales said he would propose to CPPO director Carmelo Valmoria to provide them with big venue during the next hearing of the case.

This is because during yesterday’s hearing, there was a big tendency that a far serious trouble could erupt since the warring parties were just sitting near each other in front of Sales’ table.

Sales said that it was good enough that both parties have deposited their firearms. – Flor Z. Perolina/LPM