Cop investigated for arguing with a priest

CEBU, Philippines - A town policeman was subjected to a fact-finding inquiry by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch for allegedly being disrespectful to the assistant parish priest in the town of Pinamungajan on Sunday evening.

The cop allegedly did not recognize the priest who was in civilian attire. SPO1 Bartolome Fajardo, team leader of the station’s alert team, and Father Mark Verniso of the Sta. Monica Parish, allegedly had an altercation inside the Pinamungajan Police Station when the latter asked for police assistance at about 9:30 in the evening.

Fajardo alleged that Verniso was apparently under the influence of liquor when he went to the police station.

But Senior Inspector Leo Logroño, Pinamungajan police chief, said that according to Verniso, Fajardo was sleeping when the priest arrived.

In order to clarify the allegation, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, has tasked the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch to investigate the incident to clarify what really happened.

A team headed by Atty. Julius Ompad was in the said municipality yesterday and started the inquiry.

In a phone interview with Fajardo, he alleged that he was being respectful and in fact even greeted Verniso “Good evening” when he arrived.

“Wa man mi magkalalis basin gi-dugang-dugangan lang ang estorya pero nangayo na ko’g pasaylo niya,” Fajardo claimed.

Logroño told The FREEMAN that on Sunday evening, the police and the town priests were in one basketball team for the town’s sports tournament. He said that it was Fajardo who was sighted by Verniso since other cops were in their barracks nearby.

“Stay-in man ko diha ra pud ko sa sulod sa kwarto gani lang wala’y nipukaw nako nga mao na diay na’y nahitabo,” he said.

Verniso reportedly came to the police station and asked for police assistance regarding a trouble alarm in Barangay Poblacion but Logroño failed to identify what really triggered the argument between the two.

“Paabot na lang tingali sa final nga investigation kay mao na man to ang gilihok sa PIDMB,” Logroño said. — (FREEMAN)