Role of police in withdrawal of case vs. Pakistanis probed

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Erson Digal has ordered an investigation into reports that a policewoman allegedly tried to intervene in the rape case against the two Pakistani nationals accused by their househelp of rape in Carcar City.

Digal has instructed the chief of the Provincial Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (PAIDSOTF) and Provincial Intelligence Division and Management Branch (PIDMB) to conduct an investigation after he received information that PO2 Vilma Degamo, who is presently assigned at Danao City Police Station, talked to the relatives of the girl and advised them not to pursue the case.

However, in a separate interview, Degamo denied the allegations saying she was in Carcar City to do surveillance for being a part of the intelligence team of Danao City police.

“Wala gyud ko kalibotan ana kay ang akoang gi-adto kay nag-conduct ko og surveillance,” Degamo said.

Although she admitted that the lawyer of the two Pakistani nationals is her friend, the policewoman claimed she never spoke to the victim’s relatives regarding the rape case.

“Ila lang gibutang nga dautan ang akoang gihimo didto, kay naa man ko didto,” Degamo said, adding that before going to Carcar City, she informed her team leader regarding the surveillance.

Last Wednesday morning, Carcar City police arrested Pakistani nationals Muhammad Nabi Gul and his cousin Ahmael Ullah in a followup operation after they were accused of rape by their 16-year-old house helper.

But on Thursday, the victim’s mother told reporters that they are no longer interested in pursuing the case because they don’t have money for their fare in going to Cebu City to attend the trial of the case.

Sr. Insp. Ruben Cuizon, chief of PAIDSOTF and PIDMB, said he already called Danao City police chief, Supt. Elmer Lim, to confirm if Degamo told him about her reason in going to Carcar City.

“Ni-deny (Supt. Lim) nga wala siya (Degamo) nagpahibalo anang iyang lakaw,” Cuizon said.

Cuizon said that police officers must ask permission from their team leader or direct superior if they have some surveillance to do and inform of their whereabouts.

According to him, they will evaluate all available evidences against Degamo and if proven guilty, she will be facing demotion or worse, dismissal from service. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB         (FREEMAN NEWS)