3 cops who "tortured" 2 men relieved

CEBU, Philippines - City Police Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe has relieved the three policemen accused of mauling and illegally detaining two men last week.

PO3 Atilano Ferrolino, PO1 Alexis Alferez and PO1 Romeo Ramas were relieved from their posts at the Punta Princesa Police Station and will now report to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). 

Buenafe's relief order took effect yesterday.

Buenafe explained that the relief is in relation to the investigation being conducted by the Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB).

"We have SPO's (Standard Operating Procedures) pag handle nga mga detainees or arrested criminal elements in accordance with the guidelines of the PNP and the law itself," he said. 

"They know what to do and they are supposed to follow the regulations and to do what is appropriate. If makalapas sila sa balaod, they will be liable," he added.

Punta Princessa Police Station chief Aileen Recla, in a separate interview, said it is better that the three were relieved.

"Lisod kaayo kon anaa gihapon sila sa posisyon. Maayo na aron dili sila mahimo nga eye sore sa mga biktima (It is better that they have been relieved from their posts so as not to pose unnecessary fear on the victims)," she said.

Recla admitted, however, that the relief of the three would paralyze their operations, which is why she asked that the three be replaced as soon as possible. She said the three policemen will cooperate with the "sudden changes" in their deployment.

Recla has scheduled a Holy Mass on April 3 for "divine guidance". She said it would also be a fitting time to remind her men of their responsibilities.

Recla disclosed that aside from three relieved yesterday, SPO2 Cresante Dacillo, the policeman who who killed his neighbor last week, also came from her station. In fact, Dacillo reportedly served as the team leader of the three who were relieved.

Roland Tesoro and Julie Labiaga have alleged that the three policemen arrested them outside their friend's residence at the Lourdes Apartments in Barangay Tisa around 6pm last March 21. 

They said they went to the apartment because their friend, Grace Lao, reportedly asked them to help her dispose of a dead puppy. Lao was not home when the two arrived. They reportedly waited for Lao but were surprised when police arrived and arrested them. 

The three policemen allegedly accused them of planning to break into Lao's house.

They were brought to Punta Princessa Police station where they were allegedly mauled and tortured.

Tesoro and Labiaga, however, chose not to file criminal charges against the policemen. — /JMO (FREEMAN)