Roderos orders probe of six FTP policemen

Cebu - Police Regional Office chief Ronald Roderos has ordered the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division to investigate the six field training program (FTP) policemen after they figured in a brawl inside a disco bar in Mango Square along Gen. Maxilum Avenue, Cebu City last Tuesday dawn.

The six rookie policemen were identified as PO1s Constancio Mapili, Jeker Llanes, Gilbert Mapili, Jason Tompong, Bonifacio Undalok, and Anthony Binigay.

Roderos said the FTP personnel are still considered probationary and are not yet police officers because they still have to undergo some training, Public Safety Basics Recruit Course and still have to pass their certificates of graduation to the Civil Service Commission before they will be declared genuine members of the Philippine National Police.

Wilfredo Bueno, 28, and his wife Merva, 23, alleged that the concerned probationary officers touched the butt of Merva during a disco inside the Juliana Club.

Because of this, Wilfredo reacted and confronted them to stop but Llanes allegedly got mad and boxed the victim. Not contented, Llanes allegedly slapped Wilfredo in the face using his police badge.

The case was already settled when the complainants decided not to file charges but Roderos said the investigation should continue. He said the couple would probably be invited to give more information on what had really happened.

Roderos said he had already given a written request to RIDMD ordering it to conduct an investigation into the incident. Right now, he added that he is just waiting for the recommendation which would be used during the pre-charge investigation to determine whether there is probable cause against the said FTP personnel or not.

Once the RIDMD gives its recommendation, Roderos said he would implement the summary proceeding but he would also give due process to the probationary police officers for them also to protect their rights.

The police official also said that PO1 Erwin Tequero, a member of Mobile Patrol Group who was with the six FTPs when the incident happened will be included in the investigation.

Wilfredo claimed that he was just trying to pacify the police officers but Llanes and Tequero, together with their companions ganged up on him. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc and Guam Logroño of Banat News/WAB