Madridejos cops probed over mauling incident

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador has ordered an investigation into the alleged mauling incident that resulted to the death of an arrested person in Madridejos last Monday.

Comendador has directed the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch to look into the allegation that Redentor Iscalicas, 28, died because of the injuries he sustained after he was beaten up by the police.

“Kung kinsa’y nakasala dili na pasayluon pasakaan gyud ug kaso,” Comendador said.

The eight policemen who were on duty when the incident happened will have to face the investigation. Madridejos police chief Sr. Inspector Jaime Santillan said he already called the attention of the eight policemen but they all denied mauling Iscalicas.

Those who will be investigated include PO3 Fabio Daplinan, PO2 Rico Reboquio, PO2 Joel Pino, PO2 Mamirod Carasina and PO1 Micheal Porosuelo. The five were assigned to secure a benefit dance in Barangay Poblacion last Saturday where the alleged mauling incident happened.

Three other policemen, SPO2 Saul Alejandria, PO2 Juluis Cesar Searez and SPO1 Rizalino Batindaan Jr., although they were left at the police station but they will face the probe just the same.

Iscalicas was reportedly arrested for hitting the police car during the benefit dance. The victim was detained until Sunday morning when he was released by the police without filing a case.

The victim’s sister, Rashel, claimed that her brother asked them to bring him to the hospital because he was having difficulty in breathing. According to Rashel, her brother told them that he was mauled by the police but failed to identify.

Iscalicas was first confined at the Bantayan District Hospital but was later transferred to a Cebu City hospital where he died last Monday because of internal hemorrhage. – (FREEMAN)