Cop mauled, loses pistol

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman was allegedly beaten by a group of unidentified persons on Leon Kilat and Sanciangko Streets in Cebu City Saturday evening.

Aside from the beatings he received, Police Officer 3 Jackson Rivera, will have to face an administrative investigation after losing his service firearm during the melee.

Rivera, 35, assigned at the Provincial Public Safety Company, said he was in the area to buy a secondhand cellular phone for his mother when he noticed a commotion involving a group of youngsters.

Rivera, resident of Barangay Cabangahan, Consolacion, said he went to pacify and introduced himself as a police officer but the group instead started beating him.

Rivera, who was in civilian attire during the incident, lost his 9-millimeter pistol and his wallet containing his identification card and P20 bill. 

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador has directed the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch to investigate the incident.

Rivera will be investigated for possible neglect of duty because of the lost of his service firearm.

“The firearm was property of the PNP and if he will be liable there is a neglect of duty,” deputy provincial director Teofilo Siclot said.

The CPPO is also coordinating with the Cebu City Police Office to identify the group who mauled Rivera. The policeman however was found to have inconsistent claims regarding his presence in the area.

While he claims to be in the place to buy a cellphone for his mother but he admitted only having P20 in his wallet. The place where Rivera was allegedly mauled is a known market of stolen cellphones. — (FREEMAN)