2 cops, 6 soldiers face raps

CEBU, Philippines - The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL)-Visayas based in Cebu City filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas against two police officers and six members of the Philippine army who are assigned in Negros Oriental.

Lawyer Alfonso Cinco IV of NUPL filed the complaints in behalf of Dr. Oliver Gimenez and Cristina Dimataga Muñoz for grave misconduct, perjury, anti-graft and corrupt practices act and code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.

The respondents are Insp. Mario Rivera Jungco assigned at Basay Police Station; SPO4 Wenifredo Jamandron assigned at Sta. Catalina Police Station; 2Lt. Al Anthony Pueblas, PFC Ike Panaguiton and PFC Rico Acat members of 79th Infantry Battalion in Poblacion, Siaton, Negros Oriental and Corporal Edie Lumandap, PFC Rolando Melagro and PFC Agapito Ladiama members of 1st Scout Ranger Company based in Janay-Janay, San Jose, Negros Oriental.

Gimenez and Muñoz are staff of Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET)-a non-government organization that assists small projects of marginalized people’s organizations in the Visayas.

Years ago, they were charged for murder but it was dismissed in June 2009. They were accused of being the members of the New People’s Army who staged an ambush in Sta. Catalina in 2008.

Gimenez and Muñoz said the police and military made a false statement “under oath” accusing them rebels.

“In our case, they knew very well that we are not rebels and that we did not participate in any ambush yet proceeded with the complaints and falsely issued sworn statements,” they said.

Cinco asked the Office of the Ombudsman to have proper proceedings in the complaints they filed and they should be conducted immediately.

He added appropriate administrative penalties may be imposed on the respondents and appropriate criminal charges should be filed in court. — (FREEMAN)