TORRES (FB)
CEBU CITY – A policeman is in hot water for allegedly assaulting a group of teenagers in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 3.
Police said Police Patrolman Celso Perecio Jr. was drunk during the incident, which happened around 3:15 p.m. The policeman is assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO).
Police Lt. Col. Christian Torres, information officer of the LLCPO, said the group of teenagers, two males and a female, were swimming in the beach when the policeman arrived.
Torres said Perecio arrived and without provocation, allegedly dragged the teenagers and tried to drown them.
Some of the beachgoers intervened that triggered a commotion in the area.
The Mobile Patrol Unit responded after receiving a report of the trouble through 911.
Perecio was eventually arrested by his colleagues.
Torres said Perecio will be charged for violation of Republic Act 7610, a law that penalizes child abuse.
A separate administrative complaint will be filed against the policeman.
Torres said the maximum penalty for an administrative offense is dismimissal from service.