Cop who beat up conductor may face administrative raps

A summary hearing for a possible administrative case was yesterday recommended against the policeman who was accused of beating up and pointing his gun to a bus conductor at the South Bus Terminal last January 26.

Senior Insp. Crisanto Duque, chief of the Cebu Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said the investigation showed there has been probable cause to charge PO1 Proceso Cabig in the mauling and threatening to shoot 26-year-old Celso Cuizon, a conductor of Corominas Bus.

“The pre-charge evaluation was based on the complaint filed by Cuizon. Among nakita nga duna’y probable cause hinungdan nga atong gi-submit ang recommendation for summary hearing,” Duque told reporters.

Duque submitted to Provincial Police Director Carmelo Valmoria his recommendation for summary hearing proceedings against Cabig, a policeman of the special reserve unit.

In case Valmoria approves the recommendation, the charge against Cabig will be elevated to grave misconduct—an administrative case—with the penalty to be determined by the Police Regional Internal Affairs Services.

Republic Act No. 8551, amending R.A. No. 6975, grants the National Police Commission a summary dismissal power over PNP members facing administrative cases.

Cuizon himself was the one who first reported the incident to the Carbon Police station, then returned last week with some witnesses to file at the CPPO the formal complaint against Cabig. 

In his complaint, Cuizon narrated that at about 5am, while he was eating at the terminal, (Cabig) was staring at him keenly. When he was done with his meal, he immediately stood up but Cabig grabbed his shirt that forced him to slump back on his seat.

“Sigon pa sa iyang reklamo nga mipugos siya og lakaw pero gipitkan man daw siya hinungdan nga naa siya’y bun-og pero wala pa nako matino asa dapita ang iyang labhag, unya dali dayon mihulbot sa iyang pistola,” Duque narrated the complaint of Cuizon who will be presenting a medical certificate to prove this. 

When asked why the complaint came only laterly, Duque said it was the management of Corominas Bus who called up Valmoria to complain against the policeman’s alleged acts. Valmoria then advised the bus management to file the formal complaint to serve as basis for action of authorities.  —  Garry B. Lao/RAE