“Drunk” policeman accused of mauling ex-girlfriend

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman assigned in the Complaints and Referral Monitoring System (CRMC) was arrested after he allegedly mauled his ex-girlfriend and pointed a gun at her friend in Barangay Sambag 2 yesterday.

SPO1 Eduardo Seno, 39, who hails from Poblacion, Oslob town, is currently detained in the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Police Station 2 after his former girlfriend, Genelyn Labaja, 36, and her friend, Arnel Mack, 39, reported to the police against the erring policeman.

Mack, a businessman who owns an internet cafe in the area, said that a very drunk Seno suddenly came in his establishment and was forcefully knocking on his door. Seno was reportedly calling for Mack to come out.

When Mack came out, Seno suddenly threatened him with his service firearm. While threatening Mack at gunpoint, Seno told him to get Labaja out. Mack realized that Labaja was Seno’s former girlfriend.

“Pag gawas nako, suko kaayo siya. Tion-tion sa armas. Ana siya pagawsa pagawsa. Nganung gi-ana man niya ang armas,” Mack said. (He was very angry and pointed his gun at me.)

Mack believes that Seno may have been jealous of him due to his close friendship with Labaja.

“Ambot ana niya, nagselos siguro na siya nako, ulitaw man ko, amiga ra intawon mi ana niyang bayhana uy, naa intawon koy uyab, mismo kanang babaye nakakita na sa akong uyab,” Mack added. (I don’t have a relationship with his girlfriend, we are only close friends. I have another girl.)

After Seno threatened Mack, the policeman then followed Labaja to the Fuente area.

Labaja was reportedly buying medicines in the area when Seno suddenly grabbed and dragged her. Labaja attempted to ask for help from a security guard, but the guard refused to help after Seno identified himself as a policeman.

“Namalit kog tambal, gisundan ko niya ug gigu-yod ko niya, gihuboan ko sa akong duster, nagisi gyud. Karun pa ko kasuway nga hubo-an ka sa daghang tawo. Kaduha na man ko maminyo, pero siya ra gyud ang nakahimo ani nga nabuak akong nawong, gikaladkad ko sa dalan mura kog gi-rape sa gawas. Hapit na man lang gani ko niya itagak sa skywalk,” Labaja told The FREEMAN yesterday. (I was just buying medicines when he suddenly grabbed me and ripped off my clothing in public. I have not experienced such kind of humiliation before.)

Labaja revealed that she and Seno had been in a relationship for a year. She formally ended her relationship with the policeman in 2011 after she was repeatedly mauled by Seno.

Labaja clarified that she decided to meet with Seno as the policeman has agreed to provide for her medication. But she claims that Seno has a violent streak and would often throw things inside her house whenever he is drunk. Labaja had never attempted to file a case against Seno as she was often threatened by him.

But Seno, in a separate interview, denied the allegations against him.

Seno said that it was impossible for him to threaten anyone with his firearm considering that his pistol is kept inside his bag.

PO2 Gerlito Estremos of Police Station 2 said that they decided to detain Seno as an investigation is being conducted on the incident. Labaja and Mack are keen on filing a case against Seno.

Estremos said that Seno could face a complaint for violating Cebu City Ordinance 1929 that disallows drunkenness in the streets, violation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ban on using firearms, and physical injuries.  (FREEMAN)