Manila, Cebu cops in trouble over alleged sexual, physical abuses
photo: PNP
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered the restrictive custody of two policemen from Manila and Cebu over complaints of abuses.
The Manila policeman was accused of rape by a 27-year old man while the Cebu cop is the subject of a viral video of the alleged physical attack on a person with disability (PWD) allegedly over road rage.
Nartatez said he already ordered a thorough investigation into the two cases and directed the Regional Directors of the National Capital Region Police Office and the Police Regional Office 7 to relieve the police officers involved and place them under restrictive custody.
“Any complaint against our personnel is taken seriously not only to uphold discipline but also to send a strong message to the Filipino people that we do not condone any action that compromise the integrity and professionalism of their Philippine National Police,” said Nartatez.
“These two cases will be investigated and if they are found liable, we will make sure that they will not only be dismissed from the service but will also face criminal charges,” he added.
An initial probe stated that the 27-year-old victim sought help from the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a policeman assigned at the Manila Police District.
A medico-legal examination confirmed that the victim was raped. However, the suspect’s lawyer denied the allegation, claiming that the encounter was consensual.
CCTV footage reportedly showed the suspect carrying an unconscious woman into a motel in Sampaloc, Manila, on Dec. 4 last year.
On the other hand, an initial investigation revealed that a police officer and the victim were both riding their motorcycles in Cebu when they figured in a heated altercation.
When they reached in front of the barangay hall in Brgy. Labangon, the police officer suddenly got off his bike and allegedly punched the victim, which caused him to fall off his motorcycle. The incident was caught in a CCTV footage that has since gone viral on social media.
Nartatez directed the immediate filing and close monitoring of both criminal and administrative cases against the involved police officers.
“We assure the public that due process is being strictly observed, and that administrative and criminal proceedings will take their course if the investigation would find them liable,” said Nartatez.