Cop serious after being mauled at station

CEBU, Philippines - An off-duty policeman is now in serious condition after his head hit the floor when he was mauled by a group of men who allegedly refused to pay their bill at a videoke bar in Tabuelan town dawn last Wednesday.

The victim, SPO1 Amelito Alcala, was at the same videoke bar where an argument erupted between the store’s attendants and one of the suspects because the group allegedly refused to pay its bills.

Alcala is a resident of San Remigio, but is assigned at the Tabuelan Police Station.

Alcala reportedly intervened and advised both parties to settle the issue at the police station, but the suspects allegedly challenged him to a fight instead. No fight happened at first, in fact, the suspects still followed Alcala to the police station.

At the station, however, suspects Ernesto Dura, 37, and and Junifer Curaraton, 48, allegedly started mauling Alcala. The policeman eventually slumped and his head hit the floor. The impact reportedly cracked his skull.

“Gisukmag siya ni Dura unya natumba dayun gifolow-apan pa jud ni Curaraton,” said Provincial Police Director Erson Digal.

He was rushed to the Tuburan District Hospital, but was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City.

The two other members of the group were identified as Chavie Guitguit, 40, and Epefanio Bejano, 35.

The suspects are currently detained at the Tabuelan police station while awaiting charges for frustrated homicide and direct assault. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)