CEBU CITY – The Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas (CHR Region 7) has started looking into allegations that a police station here had a secret detention cell where some arrested individuals were tortured.
Leo Villarino, chief investigator of CHR Region 7, inspected the alleged secret jail of the Sawang Calero Police Station Tuesday.
Villarino was led to an area within the police station by two women who claimed they suffered abuses from the hands of the Sawang Calero personnel.
At least 12 personnel of the Sawang Calero Police Station, including its chief Police Major Eduard Sanchez, have been relieved from their posts due to the alleged abuses.
Excluding Sanchez, 11 personnel had been charged with various cases after they allegedly extorted money from the woman whom they picked up from her house in Minglanilla, Cebu for allegedly keeping illegal drugs.
The policemen were accused of taking P170,000 from the woman who was eventually released with no charges filed against her. But before the woman was sent home, she was allegedly raped twice by the team leader of the 10 policemen.
The 11 policemen were identified as Police Corporal Georny Abrasado, Police Corporal John Carl Aceron, Police Staff Sgt. Joseph Alcoseba, Police Staff Sgt. Michael Rhey Cabizares, Police Staff Sgt. Celso Colita, Police Chief Master Sgt. Eric Edgar Emia, Police Corporal Ejill Ferrolino, Police Corporal Carlo Irizari, Police Corporal Rochelito Mabulay, Police Corporal Emmanuel Martinez, and Police Corporal Junel Pedroza.
Colita was the leader of the team at the time of the incident.
Another complainant said she too was arrested by at least six policemen from Sawang Calero.
"I was accused of selling illegal drugs," the woman said as she and the other complainant described how the secret jail looked like during their detention.
The woman led Villarino to the area where she was allegedly tortured by the police. "We're here to validate the claims from the complainants that there is a secret jail inside the police station," said Villarino.
During their visit, the two female complainants identified several things that they saw in the same area where they held.
Police Col. Josefino Ligan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), conducted a surprise inspection at Sawang Calero Police Station last Maundy Thursday but said he didn't find a "secret jail."
Villarino said the CHR Region 7 will take appropriate action if proven that the police station had a secret jail where some apprehended persons were tortured.
"That's all we can say for now. We don't want our next moves to be telegraphed. But we're grateful that the police are cooperative. It is our way of helping them clean up their ranks," Villarino said.
Villarino said the CHR Region 7 will help ensure the security of the complainants.
The CCPO welcomed the CHR Region 7's move to look into the alleged abuses committed by the Sawang Calero police.
"We welcome their investigations as this is in line with our advocacy to help cleanse our ranks," said Police Lt. Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy director for operations.