Cop arrested for “punching” man

CEBU, Philippines -  A policeman was detained after a 19-year-old man complained that the cop punched him last Monday, at around 9:40 p.m., because the high beam light from his motorcycle hurt the officer’s eyes.

 Julito Wahing of Barangay Babag Dos was alle-gedly punched three times in his head and once in the back portion of his body by Police Officer 1 Teodoro Pebida, 31, a resident of Sitio Toril and a Public Safety Police Officer at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

According to Police Officer 1 Benhur Cuadra of Gun-ob Police Station, Wahing reported that he came from the house of his girlfriend and passed by Sitio Toril, Barangay Canjulao in Lapu-Lapu City when suddenly Pebida signaled Wahing to stop his motorcycle.  When he stopped, Wahing said Pebida suddenly punched him.

 Wahing immediately reported the incident to his mother and went to the police station to file a complaint against Pebida.

 Pebida was reportedly not wearing his uniform and was not wearing a shirt.

 Wahing told the police that he knew Pebida because the latter is a friend of his uncle, Rey Lyndon Lawas, former chief director of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and currently the acting chief of Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO-7.

 Police Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, officer-in-charge of LCPO, said Pebida was reportedly absent from work during the time of the incident and did not file for a leave.

 “Wala siya’y uniform and he was supposed to render his duty in making his rounds in the City Hall,” Radoc said.

  “Gipaubos namo og drug test pero negative. Police investigators said that he was not drunk,” Radoc said.  Pebida was arrested and is currently detained at the Gun-ob Police Station. He was charged with slight physical injuries and malicious mischief.

 Radoc said that Pebida, who has been a police officer for almost four years, can still render service but will be charged with an administrative case of grave misconduct.

 Radoc added that if proven guilty, Pebida will be slapped with a 60-day suspension.  (FREEMAN)