Boy, 14, claims cops beat him up

CEBU, Philippines – A 14-year-old boy taken into police custody for reported involvement in a robbery claimed he was beaten up by policemen of the Pardo Police Station last Wednesday.

Around 7:30 p.m. last Wednesday PO2 Sherwin Talinis allegedly escorted the boy from the Pardo Night High school to the Pardo Police Station for questioning after a schoolmate accused him of armed robbery last Nov. 15. 

There the victim, a son of a barangay tanod, was reportedly met with punches and kicks from some members of the Pardo police.

A few minutes later, the boy was presented to the complainant who positively identified him as one of the two persons who robbed him of his iPhone.

The other alleged perpetrator was only identified as a certain "Tata".

Later the boy's parents came to pick him up at the police station and saw what happened to their son.

Upon the advice of a relative, pictures of the boy's bruises were taken to be used as evidence for any complaint that they might file against the perpetuators.

After the injuries were documented, the boy was sent to the Cebu City Medical Center for a medical checkup.

In a medico-legal report given to The FREEMAN also dated Wednesday, the victim sustained bruises on his left arm and chest, allegedly from the hits by Pardo policemen.

Pardo police chief Sr. Insp. Gilberto Abellar denied the victim's allegations.

"Wala gyud na nahitabo ila na allegation kay kana nga minor 14 years old, suspect na sa robbery… identified na sa minor victim, kay nangayo man ang victim og police assistance mao nga gi-imbitar ang suspect unya amo gi-turn over sa barangay" Abellar said.

Abellar was also allegedly identified by the victim as one of the policemen who allegedly punched him twice in the buttocks.

Abellar said that ever since he assumed his post as Pardo police chief he kept on reminding his men that hurting someone is a violation in their organization.

"Ako gyud na gi-emphasize sa ilaha everytime kada-human nako og inspection na bawal gyud manakit labi na sa mga minor," he said.

Abellar believed that the boy might have acquired his bruises from someone else or maybe from the complainant's parents who allegedly came to the police station very angry at what happened.

He issued the same statement to Chief Insp. Floriser Radaza, a PNP-7 physician, who claimed to be an uncle of the boy.

The boy's family is set to do a formal complaint against the Pardo police next Tuesday. - Ryan Christopher J. Sorote, USJR Masscom intern, With Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (FREEMAN)