Cop enjoys special treatment?

CEBU, Philippines - The family of the street vendor killed by a policeman last week has accused the Pardo Police Station of giving the suspect a special treatment.

A relative of the victim, Primo “June” Callego, Jr., who requested anonymity said they saw SPO2 Cresante Dacillo outside of the detention cell yesterday when they passed by the police station on their way to Carreta Cemetery where the victim was laid to rest. The funeral procession passed by the police station as a sign of protest and to call for justice.

However, the mourners were allegedly surprised to see Dacillo walking freely out of the detention cell. The victim’s relative claimed that it was not the first time that they saw Dacillo out of the detention cell.

The members of the family of the victim said that they are now afraid of their security because Dacillo might take advantage of the special treatment to harass them.

“Mahadlok mi nga samtang gawasnon siya (Dacillo) manimalos siya namo ug mamusil sa among lugar (we are afraid that while he is free to move around he will seek revenge and shoot us),” the relative said.

Pardo police chief Melber Esguerra denied giving special treatment to Dacillo. Esguerra admitted that there were times that the suspect was brought out of the detention cell for further questioning. 

Police Regional Office-7 director Marcelo Garbo, Jr. said he is willing to provide security to the family of the victim. Garbo said the family of Callego can ask help from the Cebu City Police Office or go directly to him.

Angelina, the victim’s mother, however said they are not comfortable asking security from the police because the suspect is a policeman himself.

Dacillo is already facing criminal complaint for murder before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office. He has signed a waiver of detention pending the preliminary investigation of the complaint against him.

Dacillo shot Callego dead Monday last week in Barangay Bulacao after the latter allegedly tried to shoot him.

The victim was allegedly acting suspiciously in front of the policeman’s sari-sari store prompting the suspect to call his attention. However, Callego allegedly pulled out a handgun prompting the policeman to shoot him thrice.

A certain Richard, 42, who witnessed the incident belied Dacillo’s claim. According to the witness, the victim was unarmed. The handgun recovered at the crime scene supposedly owned by the victim was allegedly planted by the suspect.  (FREEMAN)