Man charged for assaulting cops

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has recommended the filing of criminal charge against a man for assaulting two policemen who were responding to an alarm in Compostela town last year.

Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba approved the filing of the criminal case for direct assault against Serafio Lupo Tejero, Jr. after finding probable cause to charge him in court.

PO3 Larry Fernandez and PO2 R6i6chelieu Ayuda filed the complaint against Tejero after they were allegedly assaulted by the accused when they responded to an alarm in sitio Rotunda, Cogon, Compostela on December 28, 2008.

The police officers said the accused approached them and asked what they are doing in his place. Without waiting for their answers, the accused allegedly got mad and challenged the policemen to a fistfight.

The police officers however ignored him prompting the latter to grab the support bar of the roof of the patrol car and destroyed its plastic roof cover.

Tejero likewise kicked and destroyed the car’s signal light and pulled out Ayuda from the car.

The provincial prosecutor’s office issued a subpoena for the accused to file his counter-affidavit but the latter failed.

Assistant provincial prosecutor Petronio Elesterio said there is probable cause to charge the accused before the court for direct assault because he waived his right to submit counter affidavit that would have rebutted the accusations of the police. — Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)