"Drunk" cops face probe

CEBU, Philippines - Two policemen from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will be under investigation, including an asset, for allegations stemming from an arrest of a gang member at sitio Sanciangko Riverside, barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City on Monday evening.

PO2 Ruben Perater, a member of the Anti-Street Hoodlum Operating Team (A-SHOT) under the Theft and Robbery Section (TRS) and PO2 Clifford Mantua, a member of the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG) and a police asset, Arnel Pacaña, were reportedly drunk and waved their firearms during an operation, scaring some residents.

The three were onboard a PNP service vehicle when they stopped at the bridge at Riverside upon seeing a group of men. When they approached the group and introduced themselves as police officers, the men scampered in different directions, prompting the policemen to pull out and wave his gun.

This scared the residents in the area.

Pacaña and Mantua allegedly aimed their service firearms at a laborer named Zacarias Serafin and asked where the video karera machines were.

TRS Chief Bonifacio Garciano said that Perater and Pacaña were having surveillance at the place as part of the operation of A-SHOT against street crimes while Mantua was off duty when the incident happened.

According to Perater, when they reached the area, they spotted a group which they believed to be Crips gang members.

“Pag-ingon sa akong asset nga naay triggerman sa grupo niduol dayon mi maong nanagan sila,” he said.

But Perater was able to grab Jovy Heramis, one of the members of the group, and confiscated from him illegal drug paraphernalia and P140.

Garciano claimed that Perater informed him about his operation before they left for the operation.

Perater denied the allegation that he was drunk, saying he just came from the Carbon Public Market.

“Nangompra ra kog mga lamas kay birthday sa akong anak,” he told reporters. (I was shopping for my child’s birthday.)

He said he passed by Mantua having a drinking session along the road so he stopped and brought him to his residence at V. Aranas Extention but along the way, Pacaña pointed out a noted gang leader who was with the group.

Reporters tried to get the side of Mantua and Pacaña but the two were not at the CCPO.

CCPO Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said they will not condone lapses if there are any but the Investigation and Detection Management Branch will investigate first. They will then file a case, if warranted, said Buenafe. (FREEMAN)