CEBU, Philippines - Three policemen will face administrative charges after they were accused of mauling two men on Wednesday evening at Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.
Roland Tesoro, 29, and Julie Labiaga, 23, of Tupas corner Tres de Abril Streets, Barangay Pahina Central, filed a complaint yesterday at Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) against the three policemen assigned at Punta Princesa Police Station.
PO3 Atilano Ferrolino, PO1 Alexis Alfares and PO1 Romeo Ramas were accused of mauling and illegal detention by both victims who claimed they were “unjustly” arrested by the three policemen outside a friend’s house at Lourdes Apartments at around 6 pm.
Tesoro said they were waiting for their friend, Grace Lao, 29, who asked them to help her dispose a dead puppy inside her house. Lao was not home when the victims arrived.
He said they decided to wait for a few minutes hoping that Lao, who was attending a graduation ceremony, would arrive.
While waiting for Lao, the three policemen, who patrolling the area, spotted the two victims carrying a sack.
“Nag unsa mo diri ug nganong nagdala man mo’g sako? (What are you doing here and why are you bringing a sack?)” Tesoro quoted one of the policemen.
The three policemen allegedly accused them of planning to break into Lao’s house.
The victims were brought to the Punta Princesa Police Station where they were allegedly harassed.
Labiaga told The FREEMAN that they were brought into a room where they were interrogated and tortured.
“Mikuha ang usa sa mga pulis og kahoy ug ilang gi-igo among mga tiyan, (One of the policemen got a piece of wood and hit our stomachs.)” he said.
Both victims were also reportedly detained for vagrancy.Tesoro presented a medical certificate to prove that he was indeed mauled recently.
However, all three policemen denied the allegations saying that they were only doing their job when they apprehended the victims.
Ferrolino, the team leader of the group, said they apprehended the two because of their suspicious actions. Lao, on the other hand, attested to the innocence of both victims.
Insp. Jesus Arong, IDMB duty chief, said the three policemen will face administrative charges based on the victims’ allegations. (FREEMAN)