For Alleged Harassment: CCPO, resort owner eye charges vs. PDEA, 2 other police groups

CEBU, Philippines - Some officers of the city police office and owners of a resort in Pinamungajan town are eyeing charges against members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, provincial police, and Pinamungajan police who allegedly harassed them last Saturday.

Last Saturday, the group of Sr. Insp. Sara Jane Recla was at the resort owned by Glenn Ygay in Pinamungajan to celebrate their victory in a shooting competition, but the night turned into a nightmare when the PDEA agents and elements of the provincial police and Pinamungajan police arrived.

The PDEA agents and support policemen allegedly pointed their guns at resort personnel and searched their vehicles of Recla’s group.

Yesterday, Ygay went to CCPO to consult with the police on the appropriate charges to be filed against the PDEA agents. Ygay alleged his pregnant live-in partner Rachel Taping and the caretaker of his resort who is a minor, Glenn Dolino, went into a state of panic when they saw the guns.

SPO2 Jesus Arong, chief investigator of IDMB, said they recommended that Ygay file trespassing and grave threats charges. They are also contemplating on the charges they will separately file against the PDEA agents.

Likewise, they are also contemplating whether or not to include the elements of the provincial police and Pinamungajan police in the complaint, considering that they merely assisted in the operation.

The PDEA agents led by Mark Dave Maramba reportedly went to the resort upon receiving a report from the residents of the town that a group of armed men wearing PDEA shirts was in town.

But SPO2 Allan Tundag, officer in charge of the Pinamungajan police, with whom PDEA coordinated the operation said they did not search the vehicles because they did not have any basis to do so. They also did not meet Recla personally because they were already asleep when they arrived.

“ Pag adto namo dili man mao ang info nga nadawat kay ang report L300 van ang sakyanan sa mga tao nga nagpa PDEA-PDEA pero Nissan Terrano man, pero mao hinuon ang plate number. Wala man gani search nga nahitabo,” Tundag said.

But Taping belied Tundag’s statement, saying she personally saw the PDEA agents and Pinamungajan police enter the resort premises without their consent.

“Wa man jud na sila nananghid nga musulod sila sa amo kay sa pag-abli nako sa pultahan para pagtan-aw kinsa ang naa, kalit silang tanan nag-kak sa ilang mga armas ug nition nako. Siyempre kuyawan jud ko, ikaw ba’y tiunan ug pusil,” Taping said.

She insisted that the PDEA agents and Pinamungajan police allegedly checked the vehicles of the CCPO officers.

Dolino, for his part, said one of the armed men woke him up and pointed his gun at him while asking him where the people are wearing PDEA shirts are.

 Meanwhile, Recla said they would have opened fire if the PDEA agents provoked them.

“Kay kung gi-pukaw pami nila nya makalitan mi, basi’g nagpinusilay mi, hinuon kansi mi kay na-ready naman sila. Pero pasalamat lang ko nga wala,” Recla said.

On the other hand, Provincial Police Director Jesus Gaquing said CPPO dispatched the Provincial Intelligence Bureau led by Insp. Richie Salva and Special Rescue Unit to assist the PDEA.

Tundag said he alerted his men after receiving a call from Gaquing.

“Ang sa PDEA lang ang pagtan-aw kay basin naay usurpation of authority nga nahitabo pero wala may pagpang-ransack ug pagpanion nga nahitabo,” Tundag insisted.

He said that after checking the resort, the PDEA and provincial police pulled out from the scene but the Pinamungajan police were reportedly to stay there to monitor the area.

Tundag said he spoke with Recla in the morning to explain the incident. Recla confirmed the conversation and said Tundag even reportedly apologized. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)