'Strong case vs cop in policewomen's rape'

DAVAO CITY , Philippines   – Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said there is a strong case against former Davao del Sur provincial police commander Senior Superintendent Cesario Darantiano Jr., who was accused of rape and sexual harassment charges by four policewomen and the wives of two police officers.

According to DILG Assistant Secretary Brian Yamsuan, Puno, who is also the concurrent National Police Commission chairman, noted that there was a strong case against the accused high-ranking police officer. Yamsuan said the penalty for cases similar to Darantiano’s would range from suspension to dismissal from the service depending on the decision of the Napolcom en banc.

In a talk with reporters here over the weekend, Puno said that offenders in the police ranks would be dealt with accordingly.

“Such acts should not be tolerated. We will be the ones who will file criminal charges against the criminals within the Philippine National Police,” Puno said, adding, “We have criminals within the PNP and we will deal with them. We are not going to treat these criminals with kid’s gloves,” he said.

Darantiano has been relieved from his post on July 3 after the four policewomen and the wives of two police officers filed the sexual harassment complaint against him before the Napolcom and the Ombudsman. He has been placed on ‘restrictive custody’ inside the Southern Mindanao regional police headquarters in Camp Catitipan here in Davao City.

Puno also vowed to help the policewomen and the wives of the police officers who have been abused by Darantiano. “Absolutely, we will help them. We will support these women,” Puno said.