A policeman assigned at the Basak Police Station in Mandaue City is facing charges for blowing his top on two “garbage boys” whom he alleged to have stolen his vehicle’s carburetor.
PO1 Monet Montenegro is the subject of complaints for physical injuries and grave threats filed by the mother of one of the supposed victims at the Mabolo Police Station.
The two boys, ages 10 and 11, alleged that on July 22, Montenegro allegedly slapped them and banged their heads on each other.
Merlita Jopia, mother of the 10-year-old boy, said his son and the 11-year-old companion were gathering used iron and plastic at Pier 4 when Montenegro arrived with two other “garbage boys.”
Claiming she was just a distance away from the group, Jopia said she saw one of the “garbage boys” accompanying Montenegro pointing to her son as the one who took the carburetor.
Montenegro was allegedly very furious when he approached the supposed victims and asked where his carburetor is. But when the two boys denied having taken the item, Montenegro allegedly slapped them, held their heads and banged them on each other.Jopia said that when she interfered, Montenegro allegedly threatened to shoot her.
“Ikaw diay inahan ani, ayg pag-apil-apil, i-salvage taka, wa ka kadisiplina sa imong anak, pusilon taka,” Jopia quoted the policeman as saying.
Montenegro then reportedly brought the two boys to a junk shop behind the old Pepsi compound to verify whether they sold the carburetor there. However, the owner of the shop said he does not accept carburetors.
Jopia alleged Montenegro threatened to harm them if they would report the incident to the police and when the policeman learned they did file a complaint, he reportedly went to their house twice and threatened to have them “salvaged”.
Jopia said her son and his 11-year-old companion had fever for five days. She said she had wanted her son to undergo a CT scan but could not afford to do so. Being a single mother, her five children are in school as recipients of programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other foundations.
Montenegro was unavailable for comment as of yesterday. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO