3 rookie cops accused of mauling arrested man

 Three rookie policemen have been accused of beating up a man they arrested for dispatching at an area near the Carmelites Monastery in Mabolo Sunday evening.

The three, who have been on Field Training Program and assigned as security escorts for the Pilgrims of Relics Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, were identified as PO1s Julius Tampus, Rommel Goloseno, and Christopher Sullano.

Their alleged victim, Joseph Eugenio, complained that he was arrested while waiting only for his cousin, a certain Raymundo Alasagas, in the area. He said that the three policemen took turns in beating him up resulting in injuries to his body and forearms.

The policemen, however, denied the allegations, saying that the injuries found in Eugenio’s body and forearm were of his own doing when he resisted arrest. They added that they had to use enough force to subdue him.

The police report stated that Eugenio was first seen dispatching passengers in the monastery area. The rookie policemen said they requested him to stop his activity and to go home instead. A few minutes, however, Eugenio returned and resumed his dispatching, prompting the three to accost him.

Eugenio allegedly did not budge and stared sharply at the policemen, saying he was not afraid of any policeman assigned to the Mabolo Police Station because he has been a reputed “toughie” in the place and all policemen at the station knew it.

The three new policemen were not cowed though by Eugenio’s boasts. They frisked him and found scissors tucked in his waist then they took him for a liquor test at the Cebu City Medical Center in which he was found positive.

Police said they would sue Eugenio for violation of assault and disobedience to person of authority, violation of City Ordinance 1929 for drunkenness, and violation of City Ordinance for dispatching. — Edwin Ian Melecio/RAE