Cop in ‘wheel of torture’ charged over bar shooting

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines   â€“ A Laguna policeman, accused of being involved in abusing inmates using the “wheel of torture,” was charged yesterday with yet another crime – shooting two persons at a bar in Sta. Rosa City on Sunday.

Police Officer 2 Mateo Cailo, a former member of the provincial intelligence unit, was charged with frustrated murder before the city prosecutor’s office, said Sta. Rosa police chief Superintendent Bong Malabed.

Cailo gave himself up to his fellow police officers following a hot pursuit operation at the Regional Personnel Holding Center at this police camp on Sunday, Malabed said.

He said they were trying to recover a .22 caliber pistol allegedly used by Cailo to shoot Aldrin Hicana, 21; and Ranny Raquino, 27, at the Code Bar in Barangay Balibago.

Cailo and nine other Laguna policemen are facing administrative charges for allegedly torturing inmates at a police holding facility in Biñan City last month.

The police officers, who were under restrictive custody, attended the first hearing last week for the administrative charges filed against them.

Aside from the frustrated murder charge, Cailo is facing multiple administrative offenses for grave misconduct and violation of the restrictive custody rules and regulations, said Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, Calabarzon police director.

Gatchalian ordered an investigation on how Cailo sneaked from the Regional Personnel Holding Administration Office at the police camp, where they were being held pending the result of an investigation of the administrative charges filed against them.