6 policemen accused of illegal detention

CEBU, Philippines - Five policemen from the province and another from Cebu City were accused of alleged illegal detention and issuing threats by a former radio talent. 

Riel “Don-Don” Gomez II, 45, of Barangay Ylaya, Dumanjug town, who worked in a local radio station in the late 1980s, sought help from the Cebu Provincial Police Office and the Cebu City Police Office yesterday to file the necessary complaint against several policemen whom he alleged to have mistreated him.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the accused while waiting for their comment on the accusations. Five of the policemen accused come from the Dumanjug Police Station.

Gomez said the incident occurred after he was jailed last May 12, 2012 for allegedly punching the 73-year-old mother of one of the accused policemen who had the rank of inspector and is currently assigned at the Mabolo Police Station in Cebu City.

The said policeman purposely went back to Dumanjug immediately after his relatives asked him for help. Riel said the policeman reportedly threatened him on several occasions.

The quarrel was reportedly because of an overdue debt. 

“Ako siya (the policeman) nabati-an sulod sa (Dumanjug) police station nga daw nang hulga namo. Ingon siya nga dugay na siyang nangita og gubot og naa ra diay dinhi sa Dumanjug,” said Lina May, 32, the wife of Riel.

Aside from the inspector, Riel also accused five policemen from the Dumanjug Police Station of illegal detention and alleged neglect of their rights.

Riel said he tried filing criminal charges against those who jailed him but he was reportedly ignored.

“Magpahimo mi-og affidavit, dili mi-tabangan nila. Ang ila ra i-hatag kay ang blotter,” he said. He said he was also jailed for almost three days without any apparent reason. 

“Tungod sa akong ka-kabus ila lang ko hulga-hulgaon? Gusto lang ko nga maki’g estorya nila aron mahusay kun unsa gyud ang problema,” he said.  

Both CPPO Chief Patrocinio Comendador Jr. and CCPO Chief Melvin Ramon Buenafe have promised to look into the accusation. –(FREEMAN)