CCPO to file charges vs. cop for killing detainee

CEBU, Philippines – The Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office will be filing charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against a policeman who shot a detainee dead inside a police detention cell last Sunday morning.

PO2 Ramil Tanggol, 27, is presently detained at the stockade of CCPO while waiting for the charges to be filed against him following the death of Mark Anthony Generali, 19.

Generali was shot inside the Waterfront Police Station detention cell after he allegedly tried to grab the policeman’s gun.

CCPO director Patrocinio Comendador said he has already assigned the Internal Affair Service to determine what administrative charge could be filed against Tanggol.

Chief Insp. Mario Monilar, chief of Homicide Section, yesterday said they will file the criminal case against Tanggol and it is up to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office to decide if it would be elevated to the court.

Chief Supt. Federico Terte, director of Police Regional Office-7, said that if Tanggol is proven guilty of the crime, they will file a summary dismissal against him.

Asked if the police should have brought Generali first to the hospital for a liquor test before detaining him, Terte said it is important that the suspect or accused be submitted to a liquor test within the day. He clarified that the matter is a case-to-case basis.

“Wag na lang muna tayong mag-judge. The police (Tanggol) is entitled to be given due process, kasi baka ang ginawa n’ya, eh, nararapat lang,” Terte said.

He told the family of Generali and the public not worry as an investigation will be conducted to see if there were lapses on Tanggol’s part. Waterfront Police Station chief Aureo Sanchez will also be investigated over the incident.

Upon learning of the incident, the PRO-7 director has immediately directed Comendador to conduct an investigation into the case.

Comendador said that if Tanggol could post bail, they will review his assignment and check if he can return to Waterfront Police Station or be assigned to other units of CCPO. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/WAB  (THE FREEMAN)