Dumanjug cop in hot water for ‘hurting’ inmate

CEBU, Philippines - The chief of   Dumanjug Police may not be included in the grave misconduct case his subordinate will be facing for allegedly hurting a detainee.

Insp. Julius Ompad, legal counsel of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB), said that if it is found that Insp. Robert Lucernas made measures to prevent it from happening, he will not be charged for command   responsibility.

“Not all chiefs of police naay tulubagon sa command  responsibility kay ug ang personnel tua sa balay gainom ug nagmaoy lahi na pud na istoryaha,” Ompad told The FREEMAN.

Ompad added that the head of the police station could not keep an eye on their personnel all the time.

SPO1 John Eric Cordoviz, 39, was accused of hurting detainee Rodrigo Reponte, 29, by pulling his arm through the detention cell bars and twisting it.

Ompad explained that maltreatment of prisoner is a grave offense.

Article 235 of the Revised Penal Code Article states that any public officer or employee who manhandles prisoner will face a penalty of arresto mayor or one month and one day to six months imprisonment to prision correccional or six months and one day to six years imprisonment.

Reponte, a resident of Barangay Tubod Dugoan, suffered bruises in his right arm.

Initial investigation revealed that Cordoviz was on duty and he asked for Reponte’s name.

The detainee allegedly replied in a sarcastic manner, to  look for his name in the police blotter which irked the cop.

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

Lucernas said, in Cordoviz’s explanation report, he apologized and admitted that he overreacted when the detainee did not answer him properly.

Lucernas said he warned his personnel against hurting detainees or else, they will be facing sanctions. – (FREEMAN)