Cebu - Just because the complainants have already manifested disinterest in filing a case against the policeman they accused of slapping and gun-toting does not mean the case is already closed, Cebu Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria said.
As provincial chief of police, he said he has the right to pursue the investigation and implement penalties upon those policemen under him who have committed infractions.
The case involves PO3 Joseph Glenn Burlas of the Minglanilla Police Station who was accused of slapping a man and pointing his gun at another last Monday in sitio Ward 4 at the Poblacion of the town.
In a report submitted by SPO4 Remegio Elacion, officer-in-charge of the Minglanilla Police Station, on his investigation into the case, it was learned that complainants Allan Caballero and Richard Mantalaba refused to file any case against Burlas.
In line with this, Valmoria would also like to look at other cases involving Burlas when the latter was still assigned in Talisay City, most especially on his “demotion from SPO1 to PO3.”
Earlier reports had it that Burlas slapped Caballero and pointed his service firearm at Mantalaba after the tricycle drivers tapped his Pajero. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)