Police, military to discuss cop mauling incident

The incident involving police and military personnel in Lapu-Lapu City assigned to secure the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit alarmed their superiors who plan to discuss issues and concerns for better coordination.

Lapu-Lapu City police chief Louie Oppus said has had initial discussions with top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding coordination, but now there is a need for them to have another dialog.

Lapu-Lapu policeman PO2 James Fuentes accused four military personnel of mauling him while he was about to issue them a traffic citation ticket along Sangi Road, barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, last Friday midnight.

The military vehicle driven by the military personnel, who were in civilian attire, was reportedly parked illegally infront of 626 Tapsilog and disrupted traffic in the place.

Witnesses said when Fuentes was about to issue a ticket when they identified themselves as soldiers and attacked him.

The soldiers were identified as Army 2nd Lt. Edgardo Bentalan, Air Force Lt. Randy Sotero, both assigned at the Tactical Operations Command in Lapu-Lapu City and Cpl.Reynold Pallado, 29, and Pfc. Dimas Capinig, 28, both assigned to the 2nd Light Reaction Company of the Special Operations Command of the Philippine Army.

The four have been returned to their barracks in Fort Bonifacio and are now under investigation by their superiors.

Oppus admitted that no charges were filed against them because both parties agreed to an amicable settlement, but the separate investigation by military officials will continue.

Central Command spokesman Lt. Col. Jefferson Omandam said that administrative charge may be filed against the said soldiers depending on the result of the investigation.

Earlier Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Cardozo Luna issued a warning to 4,500 troopers stationed here from Luzon that they should be a part of the solutions not the problem.

Last week, three Marines were also arrested by Lapu-Lapu police after they got into trouble at a karaoke bar in barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City. - Jose P. Sollano