2 SRU cops accused of gun-poking

CEBU, Philippines - Two members of the Special Reaction Unit were accused of poking their guns at a group of eight men in Barangay Poblacion II, Carcar City on Wednesday, an hour after midnight.

The SRU team was allegedly conducting a preventive patrol in the different barangays of Carcar when they stopped at a group of young men who were at a corner and having a drinking session.

The alleged victims, Francis Paras, Felgen Paras, Anthony Sanchez, Florentino Aldave, Victor Satomera, Abraham Igloria, Roberto Bargayo and Ryan Alegrado are all of legal age and residents of the said place.

They reported to the police station and alleged that two of the six policemen whom they failed to identify, approached and pointed their armalite rifles with a flashlight, without any apparent reason, seemingly checking them and left.

But Insp. James Conaco, SRU team leader, said that the victims just misinterpreted the actions of his men when they “aimed” the armalite. “Ang armalite dunay flashlight, wala to nani-on but giiwagan lang kay naa man sa tumoy ang suga,” Conaco said in a phone interview.

The team has been conducting patrols every night on the national highway due to a series of robberies in the area.

Conaco said that robbers are usually in groups wherein one of them is armed with a gun.

He said that to prevent crimes, they have to approach suspicious-looking members of the group and check if they are armed.

“Ambot sa kadaghang na namo’g gi-roving sila ra gyud ang nasuko magduda na lang pud ta kay giduot man ang operatives,” Conaco said.

 He added that they should even be thankful that policemen are patrolling their barangay.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu Provicnial Police Office director, called the victims to shop up at the police station and identify whom they were accusing so they could conduct an investigation.

“Ang rule ana, he who accused must prove kay lisod man gud ug fishing expedition,” Comendador said in a text message.  (FREEMAN)