Witness says cops forced him to liein theft case

CEBU, Philippines - A businessman who earlier filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against four police officers of the Alcoy Police Station submitted a supplemental affidavit of his vital witness.

Jose Earl Plando, engaged in buying and selling livestock, asked the Ombudsman to suspend PO1 Leon Gesim, PO2 Raniel Cartin, PO1 Gerlito Estremos and PO1 Abrraham Quijano immediately.

Plando filed a case against the four policemen for unlawful arrest and illegal detention. He alleged that he was arrested and detained without further investigation to prove that he helped steal the goats of his neighbor Luz Jackson.

In an affidavit, witness Edward Abanilla said the policemen allegedly forced him to pinpoint Plando and Amelito Estillore as the ones who stole the goats.

Abanilla said he had told the police that he had no knowledge about the identity of the suspects, but to his surprise, the policemen reportedly got angry and forced him to implicate Plando and Estillore.

“The two police investigators adviced and forced me to tell a lie in order to evade for possible prosecution. Due to threatening remarks by the policemen that bothered me, I was confused, that’s why I force to tell a lie during the interrogation,” Abanilla’s affidavit reads.

He said the policemen had promised to help him return home to Tanjay City, Negros Oriental if he cooperated.

In an interview, Cartin denied Abanilla’s allegations.

“Even if we separated Abanilla and Plando during the interrogation, Abanilla was not forced to pinpoint Plando as one of the suspect for robbery,” Cartin said.

He also said Plando’s arrest and detention were not illegal because a witnessed had pointed to him as one of those responsible for the crime.

Police Insp. Reyco Romagnera of the Alcoy Police Station said he was surprised to learn of the incident and called Plando’s family to file a formal complaint against the four policemen with his office so that a formal investigation can be opened. Jackson herself filed a complaint over the disappearance of her goats. Following the complaint, police officers then called the attention of Plando, Abanilla and Estillore for the interrogation. (FREEMAN)