6 PDEG-7 operatives face charges: ‘Abduction, torture’

CEBU, Philippines — At least six anti-narcotics cops in Central Visayas have been charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention after they were accused of abducting and torturing two individuals from Minglanilla, Cebu.

Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas for violation of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Section 8 of Republic Act 7659 and R.A. 6713 for Grave Misconduct were Police Staff Sergeants Rey David Lanoy Aumentado, Rex Celerio Forrosuelo, Marjun Añasco Milar, Jemechiel Dico Gemang and two unidentified policemen.

The respondents are all operatives of Police Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operation Unit (PDEG-SOU) in Central Visayas.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Randolph Restauro, 30, and Gemalen Elorde, 26, both residents of Velmiro Heights Subdivision in Barangay Abuno Minglanilla, Cebu, before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7.

Restauro and Elorde claimed that they were abducted by PDEG-7 operatives at dawn on March 26, 2023. The complainants were riding a motorcycle on their way home when two unidentified cops onboard a motorcycle blocked their way causing them to fall.

A Toyota Innova with the four identified suspects arrived at the area and forced them to get on board the vehicle. The suspects took them to a building along R.R. Landon Street in Cebu City where they were allegedly held for questioning and tortured for over three hours.

The complainants said the suspects took turn in beating them up while asking where they hide the “item,” referring to illegal drugs. Restauro said he eventually convinced their abductors that they were not into illegal drugs. At 4:30 a.m. on March 26, 2023 the complaints were released.

According to them, the policemen brought them back to the area where they were taken.

The Police Regional Office-7 said the policemen involved, including PDEG-7 officer-in-charge Lt. Col. Lymel John Pasquin, were already relieved since April 28, 2023. They were ordered to report to the national headquarters in Camp Crame.

PRO-7 spokesperson Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare clarified that PDEG-7, a national support unit, is not under their jurisdiction. Pelare, however, said they do not condone any crime committed by the police.

“Kining atong involve nga police is from PDEG, the Drug Enforcement Group of PNP, so dili ni sila actually controlled sa Police Regional Office-7. But our Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Aberin, will not condone this kind of act if proven true here in Central Visayas,” said Pelare.

The PRO-7 has reminded all the police units in Central Visayas of the order of the PNP chief to be sincere in the conduct of their operations.

“We would like to reiterate and emphasize the standing instruction of our new Chief PNP… kining the conduct of honest and sincere police operation, meaning to say ang atong operation must always be done in accordance with the policy, kung unsay polisiya diha ang atoang police operation magsubay ug kahibalo nata ang PNP dili gyud mo-tolerate og mga ingon ani ug kami mismo sa PNP will conduct thorough and fair investigation, unya after investigation kung makita nato atong police sad-an gyud we will not hesitate to impose the penalty nga required or appropriate para nila in observance of their right to due process,” said Pelare. — FPL (FREEMAN)