Tanod faces raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas recommended the filing of the criminal case before the court against a barangay tanod of Alang-alang, Tabogon, Cebu for allegedly inflicting injuries to another person.

Graft investigator Llorene Grace Ompod said Dionisio Monterola is probably guilty of the crime of slight physical injuries after finding sufficient evidence.

“From the complaint and evidence presented, it appears that there is probable cause to indict therein respondent for the offense of slight physical injuries under Article 266, particularly number 2, of the Revised Penal Code,” the evaluation report reads.

Ompod stated that based on the medical certificate showed by the complainant, Welinito Polosan, it shows that his companion suffered a linear abrasion and swelling in the left part of his face.

Polosan alleged that on June 29, 2011 at around 9:25 p.m. while they were sitting outside his house with Charton Arcillas and Jereme Colegado, the respondent and two unidentified men disembarked from a motorcycle.

He said one of the unidentified men wearing a jacket cocked his pistol and pointed it at them. Monterola and companions then punched Colegado.

Complainant and Arcillas ran towards Colegado and told him not to fight back as the attackers were armed.

After the incident, the men hurriedly embarked on the motorcycle and drove away.

They decided to follow respondent and his companions but when they reached the Tabogon Police Station, they decided to report the incident instead.

The complainant added that on June 30, 2011 at 7:00 a.m. when he saw respondent along the road, the latter shouted at him. The accused, his father and live-in partner confronted him about the blotter.

“Not contended, respondent and his father alternately gave me a blow, while I was wrapping my arms,” Polosan said. He added that while he was being punched, the live-in partner of the respondent was pointing her finger at him, uttering curses.  (FREEMAN)