Ronda cop accused of causing old man’s death reports to CPPO

The Provincial Mobile Group policeman accused to have caused the death of an old man in Ronda town last week showed up for duty at the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

CPPO director Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria yesterday confirmed that PO1 Christian Penafiel already reported to the Provincial Security and Service Group yesterday after he was relieved last Friday and given three days to clear everything with his mother unit.

He is a member of the PMG detailed at the Ronda police station to augment the security force earlier this year.

Valmoria said he will be assigned to the PSSG while under investigation by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch.

Part of the investigation is the autopsy to be conducted by Regional Crime Laboratory Medico Legal Officer Supt. Nestor Sator to determine the exact cause of death of Donie Noel, 78.

Sator told The FREEMAN, he is set to examine the body of Noel this Friday, before he will be buried on Saturday.

If found to have been committed a misdemeanor, Valmoria said Penafiel will face administrative charges and may be dropped from the rolls of the police if found liable. 

Penafiel was accused by the family of Noel to have caused the latter’s death four days after punching him inside the police station.

It was Ronda Mayor Esteban Sia who brought the issue to Valmoria’s office last week saying that his assistance was sought by the victim when he was still alive.

Donie was accompanying his son Russel, 33, who was the subject of a drunk person alarm earlier last July 25, to clear his name at the police station.

Sia said that when Russel was being questioned by the Special Reaction Unit, Penafiel allegedly arrived with PO1 Leo Susvilla and appeared to be drunk.

There were also accounts that Penafiel was seen earlier that day allegedly playing mahjong and drinking near the police station.

Sia said that without provocation, Penafiel allegedly beat up Russel inside the police station.  Donie approached and questioned Penafiel but was also punched in the right jaw.

Donie’s face swelled after the incident, according to the municipal health officer Nicolas Nicdao.  He died four days later.  —Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP