2 witnesses appear in SPD rape case

MANILA, Philippines - Two women went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday to confirm that Southern Police District policemen raided the bar where they work and an alleged rape victim was escorted into the office of a high-ranking SPD official following the raid.

The women, aged 21 and 20, told the NBI they work as “models” for the Miss Universe Club, which policemen raided last week.

They also said they saw two of their female co-workers brought into the office of SPD Special Operations Group chief Superintendent Erwin Emelo. The complainant alleged that Emelo raped her in his office and told her co-worker to look away.

Emelo has gone on voluntary relief since Oct. 25. The SPD is also conducting a separate investigation of the rape complaint filed against him.

Aside from Emelo, the other policemen who reportedly joined the raid were Senior Police Officer 1 Rome Cantal; Police Officers 3 Roderick Alcantara, Richard Dumalaog, Michael Villano, and Enrique Daya Jr.; and Police Officers 2 Eric Matthew Celario and Dwine Angelo Lalangan.

More abuses

The women said as they and other bar employees were rounded up, the policemen were reportedly shouting expletives at them and warning them against escaping.

They also said the policemen reportedly followed some of the models to their dressing room and started taking pictures while the women were changing clothes. When the models complained, one policeman allegedly took more photos.

“Why did they treat us (without respect)? Is it because they are police officers, they think they can treat us this way?” the two women said, claiming that it was the first time they had been brought to a police station. 

When they were arrested and brought to the SPD headquarters on Oct. 23, the two women said they found “padrinos” or protectors, who had their names erased from a list of those charged before the prosecutor’s office for allegedly working without a permit.

The women said their protectors told them not to draw attention to themselves. It was at this juncture that they saw two of their co-workers, one of whom had filed rape charges with the NBI’s National Capital Region office, brought into Emelo’s office.

They said they could identify Emelo.  

Complainant admits mistaken identification

Meanwhile, Emelo’s alleged victim said she made a mistake when she identified the photo of a policeman as Emelo.

She said that when one of the reporters showed her the photo, which was on a mobile phone, she was wearing dark glasses and was still recovering from fever.

“The police officer shown to me had a fair complexion while Emelo had dark skin. If I see Emelo personally, I could point him out. The picture on the (mobile) phone was also blurry so I did not see the image clearly,” the complainant said.

She said when she was brought to Emelo’s office, the official reportedly turned off the lights when he entered the room, supposedly so they would not be seen outside.