QC cop faces raps for detainee rape

MANILA, Philippines –  A Quezon City Police District (QCPD) policeman is the subject of a manhunt by his own colleagues after he allegedly raped a female detainee in a police station more than a week ago, an official said yesterday.

Records show that Police Officer 1 Rodrigo Bajog has been absent without official leave (AWOL) since the incident, which reportedly happened on Feb. 22. The victim, who said she was jailed in connection with an estafa case, claimed Bajog brought her out of the detention cell at QCPD Station 12 and raped her at gunpoint in a conference room at the second floor of the station.

This is the second detainee rape case reported this year, after Police Officer 3 Antonio Bautista was charged with raping and robbing a vendor detained at the Manila Police District headquarters on New Year’s Eve.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said rape charges have been filed before the city prosecutor’s office against Bajog, who has apparently gone into hiding.

He said Bajog has been relieved from his present assignment as a patrol officer of QCPD Station 12 and placed under the District Headquarters Administrative Holding Unit at Camp Karingal.

Four other police officers who were on duty at the time of the reported rape are being investigated to determine if they can be held administratively liable. Mantele identified them as night watch officer Chief Inspector Bernardo Plan; duty desk officer SPO1 Antonio Turla; duty investigator PO2 Jerry Flores and radio operator PO2 Jaime Lomboy.