Teen’s rape triggers Manila Police District revamp

Station 4 chief relieved

MANILA, Philippines — Officials of the Manila Police District (MPD) were reshuffled yesterday after a 15-year-old girl whose parents were apprehended in a drug sting accused a policeman of raping her.

The girl said Police Officer 1 Eduardo Valencia, an anti-drug operative assigned with the MPD Station 4, allegedly raped her following the arrest of her parents.

The victim claimed that Valencia’s superior officer first offered to have sex with her in exchange for the release of her parents.

Valencia’s boss, MPD Station 4 commander Superintendent Andrew Aguirre, was relieved from his post by MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Anduyan.

Aguirre was replaced by MPD Station 9 commander Superintendent Robert Domingo.

Aguirre was sent to the District Accounting and Holding Unit (DAHU) pending the results of the investigation.

A source, however, said Aguirre’s suspension was connected to a pending case he is facing before the Office of the Ombudsman.

 Superintendent Bobby Glenn Ganipac, chief of the District Intelligence and Detective Management, was transferred to the MPD Station 9.

Superintendent Carlito Grijaldo, who was formerly assigned with the National Capital Region Police Office, was tapped to replace Ganipac.

 Chief Inspector Manny Israel, head of the MPD Station 1 anti-crime unit, whose subordinate PO1 Redentor Bautista was arrested for alleged possession of cocaine in a bar in Taguig City, was sacked and replaced by Inspector Agapito Yadao.

Like Aguirre, Israel was placed on “floating status” at the DAHU.

A source said Anduyan would be transferred to the Northern Police District. He would be replaced by Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr., who is the director for operations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Anduyan’s transfer is not official unless a written order from Camp Crame is issued, the source added.

Domingo wants the more than 300 members of MPD Station 4 to undergo drug tests.

The MPD general assignment and investigation has started its probe on the rape incident.

Police said six other non-commissioned officers who were with Valencia when they arrested the parents of the victim were being investigated.

Valencia and his team swooped down on the house of the victim’s parents in Sampaloc to serve a search warrant.

Police said the raiders arrested the girl’s parents, who allegedly yielded drugs.

The victim and her elder sister were also taken by police for questioning.

Valencia reportedly offered to give the victim a ride home. But he drove to a hotel in Old Sta. Mesa where he allegedly raped the girl.