MPG, Mabolo police ordered investigated

Cebu City police chief Patrociño Comendador ordered an investigation against the Mabolo police station and Mobile Patrol Group for alleged irregularity in the performance of duty after a man complained that he was unfairly detained.

The investigation is based on the alleged complaint of a certain Edgardo Ybañez who was reportedly arrested on the night of February 20 by MPG policemen in sitio Sun-ok, barangay Lahug.

Ybañez reportedly called the MPG for assistance after his neighbor Primo Tarucan allegedly tried to shoot him but missed.

When the MPG arrived Ybañez and Tarucan were both brought to the Mabolo police station for investigation.

When Ybañez was asked to undergo liquor test in Cebu City Medical Center he obliged since he admitted that he had visitors at that time in his house, he said he also agreed after understanding that Tarucan will also be made to undergo a paraffin test.

But to his surprise when they go back to Mabolo police station he was jailed for violating a city ordinance for drunkenness in public.

What added to his surprise was when the police allegedly released Tarucan while he, who called the police for assistance, was jailed. Tarucan is reportedly the father of one of the investigators of the MPG.

The following day, Ybañez reportedly posted bail for violation of the said city ordinance and was released. His wife sought the help of media upon learning that the blotter of the MPG did not reflect what allegedly transpired that evening.

Ybañez also said the blotter reflected he was detained around 11 p.m. but he said it was actually 8 p.m.

Because of this Comendador wants these police investigated for possible violations.

He added police should be careful in dealing with cases involving a relative or friend because these might affect the professionalism of the policemen. Comendador urged Ybañez to formalize his complaint to his office and he will endorse it to Internal Affairs Service for investigation. - Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP