Backtalk draws ire Cop who “hurt” man in trouble

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman has been accused of injuring a detainee after he got mad at how the detainee was answering him back last Thursday evening inside the Dumanjug Police Station.

Rodrigo Reponte, 29, of Barangay Tubod Dugoan, Dumanjug, suffered bruises in his right arm after SPO1 John Eric Cordoviz, 39, allegedly pulled his arm through the detention cell bars and twisted it.

Cordoviz was on duty at that time when he asked for the name of Reponte who allegedly replied in a sarcastic manner.

“Gitubag man siya ni Reponte nga ipatan-aw sa blotter iyang ngalan mura’g nasinta pud ang pulis unya init ang ulo,” said Dumanjug police chief Insp. Robert Lucernas.

Cordoviz, who is assigned as beat patrol at the police station, was reportedly under the influence of liquor at that time, but Lucernas refused to confirm this pending a liquor test.

Reponte has been detained there since last January for illegal possession of firearms and for the Commission on Elections gun ban.

Lucernas said that Reponte had allegedly been suffering from a nervous breakdown and was taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for a checkup but stopped taking his medicine a few months ago.

“Kabuhion man kuno siya sa tambal pero usahay okay man siya,” Lucernas said in a phone interview.

But based on the explanation report of Cordoviz, Lucernas said that he admitted to overreacting to the incident and apologized for what he did.

Lucernas is expected to submit the investigation report of the incident to the Provincial Investigation Detective and Management Branch today.

Lucernas said he warned his personnel against hurting their detainees or else they will face consequences.

“Gisigihan lang ko na sila og pahimatngon nga dili gyud hilabtan kung dili sila ganahan makasuhan,” Lucernas said.

Cebu City Police Office director Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said he is waiting for the investigation report of the Dumanjug police.

Cordoviz has refused to comment on the issue.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)