Eight cops relieved after rape incident at gov’t center

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — While the police are still determining whether or not, there were security lapses at the Bacolod Government Center when the rape incident happened Friday evening, the entire team of the Community Police Assistance Centers was relieved from their posts.

Senior Superintendent Pedrito Escarilla, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office, confirmed that the eight e revealed that eight officers, led by Senior Insp. Ser Ulrick Gelera, were immediately relieved from their duty because of the incident.

Escarilla said Superintendent Adonis Rosales, head of the City Mobile Group, will assume command at the government center.

“There is changing of guards while we’re still assessing security measures at government center,” Escarilla said, adding that “this is normal. They will return if the situation is already stabilized.”

We’re still trying to determine if there were security lapses while we are enhancing the security there, Escarilla said.

The police official further said Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella directed him to tighten the security at the government center, but added that the rape incident was only an isolated case. “Who would have expected that the incident would happen there?”

However, Escarilla assured the public that the area is a safe place, as he advised them to be always vigilant and have a companion always to avoid occurrence of the same incident in the future.

It can be recalled that a 20-year-old victim, who went for a jog at the government center with her companions, went alone to use the comfort room at the Annex Building and was followed by the suspect.

The 27-year-old suspect locked the door and turned off the lights before he attacked the woman, who fought back but was overpowered.

Two minors heard the victim’s call for help and they reported the incident to the Compac who responded to the scene and arrested the suspect.

On Monday, rape charges were filed against the suspect, who is now detained at Police Station 4, after the medical examination of the victim indicated that there was sexual abuse.  (FREEMAN)