Security guard accuses cop of hitting him

CEBU, Philippines – A security guard of a school filed a complaint against a police official who allegedly elbowed him on his chest and attempted to inflict more hurt on him yesterday in Talisay City, Cebu.

The police had arrested him for a traffic violation.

Florence Patega, 26, of Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City claimed that Insp. Rico Emperwa attempted to strike him some more after Emperwa hit Patega's chest with his elbow.

Patega, who claimed to be a security guard at the Bulacao Community School, said he bumped his back on a concrete wall because of what the policeman did.

Patega narrated that he was driving his motorcycle from the corner of St. Jude towards Prince Warehouse Club in Barangay Bulacao at around 4 p.m. last Friday when Emperwa, who was also driving a motorcycle, approached him and confronted him for not wearing a helmet.

Patega said Emperwa demanded for his driver's license and later identified himself as a policeman. Patega declined, as he wanted to be issued first with a temporary operator's permit (TOP).

The policeman, after allegedly pulling off a gun tucked on his waist and threatening to shoot him, took Patega to the Pardo Police Station where he is assigned.

It was there when Emperwa hit him on the chest, said Patega.

The complainant added that Emperwa was about to hit him again when another policeman advised Emperwa to refrain from doing so, as the police force might be placed in bad light.

Patega handed over his driver's license when personnel of the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) arrived and issued him with a TOP.

Yesterday, he showed to the media the medical certificate from the Cebu City Medical Center, which showed that he had swelling in his chest following the cop's beat-ing.

Emperwa, 40, denied Patega's accusation. He said what Patega said about the policeman hitting his chest was a lie, as well as the claim that he was brandishing a gun.

He said a CITOM personnel manning the traffic at the corner already signaled for their side to cross the road when Patega, who was on the other side of the road, still tried to go across the solid line despite the signal.

Emperwa said he was almost hit by Patega.

"So ako siya gitawag, 'Dong, unsa man 'tong imo gibuhat? Di man 'to maayo. Nangayo ko sa iyang lisensya. Giingnan pa g'yud ko, 'Ngano diay, pulis ka?' 'Nya bugal-bugalan pa g'yud ta paghatag sa iyang lisensya. Maong nangadto mi sa police station," Emperwa said.(I called his attention about his bad behavior and he asked if I was a policeman. He was even mocking me as he was handing over his license that's why I took him to the police station.)

The policeman said he could have even filed a case for disobedience against Patega, but Patega pleaded with him so he may only be charged with traffic violation.

The policeman also said that Patega asked for apology before leaving the police station.

"Storya ra 'na niya para lang gyud siguro mubalos siya. Iya ra nang alegasyon," Emperwa said. (He's spreading lies so he could get back at me.)

Emperwa said he will face the case Patega filed against him. (FREEMAN)