Gun-toting cop faces raps for Naga mess

CEBU, Philippines - After misbehaving during the Local Government Unit’s Night on Saturday, PO3 Romeo Bolaño is now facing charges filed by Chief Inspector Timmar Alam, chief of the Naga City Police Station.

Charges for grave misconduct, alarm and scandal and direct assault upon an agent of person in authority were filed yesterday before the Naga City Prosecutor’s Office.

This after Bolaño, who is assigned at the Consolacion Police Station, reportedly harassed Alam and brandished his service 9mm pistol during the event held at the baywalk of Barangay East Poblacion.

Even if charges were filed, Bolaño will still be facing probe according to Superintendent Henry Biñas, chief of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch.

Biñas told The FREEMAN that he was directed by Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador, provincial director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, to conduct an investigation on the matter.

He added that he is waiting for the investigation report of Alam as well as his affidavit before they will ask Bolaño for his counter-affidavit.

Alam alleged that he was with his group when Bolaño approached him and introduced himself as a policeman. He then joined the group and started maligning the Naga police force.

Alam tried to calm him down but Bolaño harassed and threatened him instead, pointing his pistol to those around him, which was witnessed by barangay officials and other attendees.

The scene prompted Alam to call his personnel in order to subdue Bolaño who reportedly resisted the arrest causing injuries to PO1 Junarie Latore who was hit on his forehead by the handcuffs.

Worried for the safety of others, Alam took his pistol and aimed at Bolaño who managed to escape from the police. However, he was arrested near the city hall during the follow-up operation.

In a separate interview, Bolaño admitted his faults but said what the Naga police did to him was too much.

Bolaño, who is suffering of a bone fracture on his right pointer finger, alleged that he was inhumanely treated after he was arrested.

“Gikulata ko nila og maayo unya gipatid-patiran. Kung nakasala ko dili ko nila bun-ugon nga mura’g baboy,” he said.

But Alam said the allegations of Bolaño cannot cover up what he did.

Bolaño who has been in the service for 15 years was formerly assigned at the Talisay City Police Station on 2002 and was relieved at the Naga Police Station after he indiscriminately fired his pistol during a Christmas Party.

He was also assigned in Naga City for 7 years before he was recently relieved at the Consolacion Police Station after allegedly having a relationship with a policewoman.

Chief Inspector Wilbert Parilla, Consolacion Police chief, confirmed that Bolaño was on duty on that day. He was assigned at the police outpost in Barangay Tayud.

According to Parilla, Bolaño asked permission from his police buddy PO3 Edmund Melendrez to go home bringing with him a plastic bag filled with mussels or ‘talaba’ but Bolaño failed to return to his post.

“Diha lang ko kahibawo pagbuntag nga napriso na diay maong wala kabalik,” Parilla told The FREEMAN.

Parilla said he already sent a special report for abandoning post to the office of the provincial director.

Comendador said that Bolaño may file counter charges against Alam if he wishes to. (FREEMAN)