By Armando Fenequito Jr.
DAVAO CITY -- A police officer currently assigned in Maguindanao is facing charges for harassment of a barangay official who was manning a quarantine checkpoint at Barangay Bago Gallera here.
Talomo Police Station commander Lt. Col. Ronal Lao identified the suspect as Jefil Millan Ates, 47, a resident of Samantha Homes, Catalunan Pequeñ,o and assigned to Maguindanao Police Provincial Office.
Lao said the Ates will be slapped with several charges for Violation of Republic Act 11332 in relation to Executive Order No. 33 (Liquor Ban) and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person).
Reports showed that at around 9:45 p.m. of May 26, Kagawad Neil De Guzman, along with his civilian volunteers, were manning the Quarantine Control Point established at the entrance of Kabataan Center in Bago Gallera when Ates arrived. Ates reportedly alighted from his vehicle and shouted at the official.
Ates was reportedly pointing his finger at De Guzman and kept on shouting that he is a police officer. He then ripped off the face mask from De Guzman's face and pushed him.
The barangay official immediately called for police assistance that led to the arrest of Ates by the responding officers of Talomo Police. Ates was subsequently brought to Southern Philippines Medical Center for liquor test examination.
Reports said the erring policeman, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, allegedly went to the area to visit a friend.