Cops who "mauled" guard to face probe

CEBU, Philippines - The two policemen who allegedly mauled a security guard last Sunday will be relieved of their post and will be facing investigation over the incident.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador has directed the Provincial Investigation Detection and Management Branch to check on the allegations of 48-year-old Jesus Gealon of Ward 4, Minglanilla.

Police Inspector Julius Ompad, CPPO’s legal counsel, is heading the investigation.

Comendador told The FREEMAN that as soon as he receives the recommendation from Ompad, the two policemen will be restricted at the CPPO headquarters.

“Wa ta mamasangil nila but we have to investigate kay naa may complainant,” he said.

Gealon, who lost his two teeth, claimed that he was repeatedly mauled by PO2 Rommel Patalinghug and PO1 Orland Condes. The policemen suspected him as being responsible for the release of a female detainee in Naga Police Station.He also claimed that both police officers took his P16,000 cash and filed a direct assault case against him even if he didn’t resist the blows.

Gealon is a personnel of the L&J Security Agency. He went to the police station after an unknown person tried to grab his service firearm while he was safeguarding a beach resort beside the station about 3:00 a.m.

Gealon was waiting for the desk officer when the two police officers arrived with a handcuffed female detainee, who went to the comfort room.

Minutes later, the detainee came out of the rest room without the handcuffs and went out of the police station.

Both police officers arrived and accused him of releasing the woman. If Gealon is to be believed, the two then mauled him and took his cash.

Serge Gealon, 49 and older brother of the victim, plans to file criminal and administrative charges today against the policemen before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Senior Inspector Rolando Eballe, Naga police chief, welcomes any investigation against his personnel.

Eballe said the woman was released after his live-in partner refused to file a case against her.

If the two will be cleared after the investigation, they will be sent back to the Naga Police Station. (FREEMAN)