Querol: PRO-6 will support the 11 accused policemen

ILOILO CITY ,Philippines  — The eleven policemen, charged with human rights violation for the arrest of a wrong woman in the January 3 EastWest Bank robbery, have found an ally in their superior, Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr., director of the Police Regional Office 6.

Querol yesterday assured that he would stand by his personnel who were accused at the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly torturing Isidra Ladesma, the wrong suspect in the robbery.

"As long as the charges against them stemmed from their performance of duty, we would support them in their legal battle. We would answer the charges," said Querol as he confirmed PRO-6 will provide legal assistance for the accused policemen although he claimed that his office has not received yet a copy of the complaint sheet.

Earlier, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) filed administrative and criminal charges against 11 policemen involved in Ladesma's arrest. CHR-6 investigator Jonnie Dabuco opted not to name the accused yet to also "protect their human rights."

One commissioned officer and two non-commissioned officers were charged for violating Republic Act 9745 (Anti-Torture Act of 2009). The other eight policemen, who were assigned at Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Mina Police Station, were charged with unlawful arrest for their failure to immediately release the suspect, even if no criminal charges were filed against her.

Administratively, the eleven cops were also slapped with grave abuse of authority charge.