IDMB receives lead: Volunteers "mauled" detainee

CEBU, Philippines - Did the police trackers maul the burglary suspect who died inside the Fuente Police Station?

This is what the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) headed by Chief Insp. Bonifacio Garciano is trying to find out after receiving leads about the matter.

Garciano also questioned the fact that the police trackers, who are civilian volunteers, have an office inside the Fuente Police Station which is supposedly not allowed.

Joven Tejano, 32, a suspect in burglary, was arrested by police trackers and taken to the Fuente Police Station where he died inside the female detention cell. The PNP Crime Laboratory-7 found he was beaten to death, with several ribs broken.

“Ang storya sa taga-Fuente police gikulata daw na sa mga bystanders but ang storya nakuha namo gikulata siya sud sa police station, mao na atong i-verify,” Garciano told The FREEMAN.

Garciano believes Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, the station chief who was relieved due to the incident, definitely knew something about what really happened because he was on duty the day Tejano was taken to the police station.

The IDMB chief said they are verifying reports that the police trackers beat up the detainee to death, most possibly with Bastes’ consent or order.

Garciano also revealed that they are now evaluating the civilian volunteers. Regardless of whether the inmate was mauled in or out of the police station, this would still be under the command responsibility of Bastes, he added.

At least four police officers of Fuente Police Station have already executed their affidavits. Garciano said Bastes, Insp. Juanito Pajantoy, the station’s deputy chief, SPO3 Justo Gabuya, and SPO4 Mario Revilla are expected to submit their affidavits today after they were given an order to do it within 24 hours.

Last Saturday, Insp. Keith Allen Andaya, PO2 Eduardo Acop, PO2 Allan Vallejo and PO1 Rey Pabroa have already submitted their affidavits, Garciano said.

Garciano said they are working on getting evidence, in coordination with the Homicide Section, to pin the suspects down. — (FREEMAN)