21 Pasay cops, 8 guards charged

Police filed yesterday with the Pasay City prosecutors’ office homicide charges against 21 Pasay policemen and eight security guards of the Philtranco bus terminal for their involvement in a bungled hostage rescue last week.

Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Jose Gutierrez said the policemen and security guards were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide only for the death of four-year-old hostage Dexter Balala because only the boy’s family filed a complaint.

Another homicide case may still be filed should the family of hostage-taker Diomedes Talbo decide to file a complaint, he said.

Talbo took Balala hostage before dawn of May 31 supposedly because Talbo, who was found to be positive for drugs and alcohol, was distressed by a personal problem. Talbo repeatedly stabbed Balala, leading police to fire at him and hitting the boy five times.

Charged for the botched operation were Pasay police chief Superintendent Eduardo de la Cerna, Chief Inspector Reynaldo Baral, Inspectors Edith Altera and Aquilino Almanza, SPO1 Alfred Villa, PO3s Marco Duka, Rodolfo Soquina, Jose Jonard Castro, PO2s Reano Leano, Raymundo Sabino, Leoncio Muñoz, and Ashley Gamulo, and PO1s Jay Martinez, Ronald Garcia, Roberto Landong, Lemuel Galang, Christopher Torres, Gregorio Mendoza, Florante Nobleza, Roberto Gonzales and Andito Guardian.

The security guards were identified as Raul Herbias, Robaldo Gerones, Angel Factoran Jr., Pepenio Santander, Alfred Estos, Arnold Macario, Roy Mojica and Dennis Tripoli, all of the SAGA Security Agency.

Gutierrez personally filed the charge sheet with Pasay City Prosecutor Francisco Beron, who said he may form a panel for the preliminary investigation.

If found guilty, the respondents may be imprisoned from a minimum of four months to a maximum of four years and two months. - With Christina Mendez