Cop to file raps vs. police chief

CEBU, Philippines - A senior police officer will file charges against a town police chief for the apprehension of his son and three other juveniles for violation of Cordova town’s curfew for minors ordinance.

SPO2 Honorato Inihao, chief investigator of the City Investigation and Detection Management Branch of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said Chief Insp. Alvin Balio, Cordova town’s police chief, committed lapses in his work when minors were taken to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) holding center.

Because of the incident, Inihao will file charges for arbitrary detention, illegal arrest, and violation of RA 9344 or Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

In his letter of complaint, Inihao stated that last May 9, all four minors were with his other son Jack Michael Inihao, 20, on board a tricycle going towards a bakery from the Iglesia ni Cristo church.

A team led by Balio who saw the minors around 11:20 in the evening apprehended them.

The minors were released the next day after they were turned over to the claiming parents.

But Inihao said it was an illegal arrest for it has no legal basis because the minors were not wandering around without any means or purpose.

He also considers the arrest as a violation of the rights of the minors.

He also cited Section 6 of the municipal ordinance which states that arresting officers should warn the minor offender before he is given a citation ticket and send the minor home unless he has committed another act punishable by law or other ordinances.

But according to Balio, Inihao’s claims were mere allegations and with not enough basis.

“We were just imposing our municipal ordinance here. I even advised him but naa lang gyud na siya’y pagka-violator,” Balio said.  - THE FREEMAN