Police chief denies farmer's allegations

CEBU, Philippines - A town police chief has denied the accusation that he hit an arrested farmer with the blotter.

Insp. Rico Emperwa, Boljoon police station chief, denied the allegation of Luceno Amancio, 50, whom they arrested last week for allegedly catching endangered birds in Sitio Camparang, Barangay El Pardo.

In a phone interview, Emperwa told The FREEMAN that when they arrested Amancio, they informed him of the offense he committed as well as his rights.

“Klaro man na nga tumo-tumo lang niya. Wala gyud na namo hilabti. Giklaro pa gani na namo og tratar (It’s clear that it is just an allegation from him, We did not hit him. We even treated him well),” Emperwa said.

Other policemen whom Amancio accused of abuse are SPO2 Rogelio Fernandez, PO1 Bienvenido Baloro and PO1 Rex Pelonio.

Emperwa also denied the issue that they forced Amancio into owning the steel cage containing two birds.

Amancio, a resident of Barangay Cawayan, Dalaguete, went to the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch last Saturday to seek assistance.

He alleged that the policemen threatened to shoot him, hit him with the blotter and refused to give him food, saying that he even almost decided to commit suicide over the crime he did not commit.

On January 22, Amancio said, he saw policemen on board a patrol car while heading home from Barangay El Pardo where he visited his relative.

He alleged that one of the policemen took a steel cage placed inside a sack and forced him to own it.

He alleged that when he refused, SPO2 Fernandez allegedly aimed his service firearm and threatened him.

Insp. Julius Ompad, deputy chief of PIDMB, said that what the policemen did, if true, was a violation of human rights, adding they will face charges for grave misconduct. (FREEMAN)