'Abusive cop' upsets Tom O

Reports about a policeman assigned to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch (CIIB), who allegedly abused his authority by maltreating a jeepney driver has upset Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

"This is truly upsetting. CIIB must investigate on this. I'm curious how they will handle this," Osmeña said during his regular press conference at the City Hall yesterday.

Osmeña is giving no deadline for CIIB chief Paul Labra to investigate this matter, but the police official has to convince everyone including him that the proper steps were taken and that the result of the investigation is satisfactory.

Oscar Sarte, a jeepney driver, has accused PO2 Albert Luardo of mauling him inside the CIIB office last Sunday night.

Sarte alleged that Luardo arrested him last Saturday after the policeman got mad because he the driver overtook his vehicle while they were both headed to Talamban Saturday evening.

He also alleged that when he was brought to the Talamban Police Station, Luardo punched him on the chest and last Sunday night he was pulled out from the city police stockade, handcuffed and was brought to the CIIB office where he was maltreated.

The accused policeman had denied the allegations saying these were untrue, fabricated and imagined because he never hurt Sarte even if he was provoked.

Meanwhile, acting City Police Director Melvin Gayotin yesterday said that Luardo and PO1 Rey Veloso, who also recently figured in a controversy, are considered relieved from their present post. This is because the two are no longer reporting to their post since last week because they underwent training on VIP Security and Protection for the dignitaries of the Southeast Asian Games.

Veloso is under investigation for shooting suspected drug pusher Dave Esbra during a saturation drive last weekend. Esbra, who had handcuffs on, reportedly sustained more than 10 gunshot wounds. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan and Ryan P. Borinaga