Cop faces raps for allegedly mauling carpenter

CEBU, Philippines -  Charges were filed against a policeman who allegedly mauled a carpenter in Barangay Poblacion, Barili town a month ago.

No less than the Barili Police Station filed a case for frustrated homicide against PO3 Virgilio Concepcion before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

Virgilio, a resident of Barangay Sta. Ana and currently assigned at the Ronda Police Station, has been tagged as suspect in mauling Jarden Reponte, 29, of Sitio Ylaya, Barangay Gunting.

Reponte sustained injuries and a stab wound on his right abdomen following the alleged incident.

Concepcion allegedly connived with his nephew Alex and his son Edmund in mauling Reponte. Alex and Edmund are also subjects in the case.

On July 15, Poblacion barangay councilman John Anthony Añober reportedly invited Reponte, his brother Jigomfe, as well as the suspects to his house for a celebration.

In his affidavit, Reponte said the suspects were allegedly already under the influence of liquor when they arrived at Añober’s house.

PO2 Hector Veloso of the Barili police said that while they were drinking, Concepcion confronted Reponte on the latter’s alleged failure to work on his house, as well as on the money the carpenter had borrowed from him.

“Wa man kuno ni nagpakita atong duna unta’y ipatrabaho sa balay unya nanghulam pud ni’g kwarta nga ilisan ra’g humay,” Veloso said.

A sharp look from Alex reportedly prompted Reponte and Jigomfe to leave the group to avoid an argument, but when Reponte was about to board his tricycle, Alex and Edmund allegedly punched him and he fell to the ground.

Despite the pain, Reponte reportedly managed to follow Jigomfe who was already about 800 meters away from him. However, Jigomfe reportedly urged him to return and confront the suspects.

When they did so, Alex, with knife in hand, approached Reponte and stabbed the carpenter. Concepcion and Edmund then connived in mauling the carpenter.

The scene prompted Añober to seek help, giving Jigomfe a chance to rescue his brother and take him to the Barili District Hospital.

The Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch has advised Concepcion to defend himself and possibly clear his name. —(FREEMAN)