2 cops face raps for "mauling" guard

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard has filed a complaint before the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office against a police official and a non-commission police officer for alleged unlawful arrest and physical injuries.

Assisted by lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, Roger Mancao, 39, also lodged a similar complaint against Police Inspector William Homoc and Police Officer 2 Philip Von Delima before the Commission on Human Rights.

Mancao, resident of Gun-ob, Lapu-lapu City, accused the two policemen of serious physical injuries, grave threats, grave coercion and unlawful arrest.

“The acts of herein respondents are utterly condemnable being officers of the law enforcement agency and the Philippine National Police,” Mancao’s complaint-affidavit reads.

Mancao alleged that on July 5, 2012 respondents arrested him without a warrant of arrest at the premises of a mall in Barangay Basak where he was assigned as security guard.

“Their reason for the arrest was allegedly based on a complaint for acts of lasciviousness filed by a 15-year old, niece of respondent Homoc, committed allegedly on July 3, 2012,” he said.

Mancao was accused of molesting a 15-year old girl whom he brought inside the security room for interrogation after she was suspected of shoplifting. According to Mancao, Homoc brought him to police station 4 in Marigondon.

Homoc and Delima reportedly took turn in mauling him inside the station.

Mancao said Homoc kicked and boxed him causing him to fall on the floor. The guard claimed that his arrest was malicious because Delima was earlier caught by him for shoplifting.

In fact, Mancao attached in his complaint a letter of apology made by Delima to the mall after he was caught shoplifting shampoo and lotion on April 7, 2012.

Delima paid P2,000 as settlement to avoid charges.— (FREEMAN)