2 PSG men who mauled Cebu cabbie fired

CEBU CITY — The two members of the Presidential Security Group who allegedly maltreated three taxi drivers in Cebu last August were kicked out of the active service.

Master Sergeant Arsenio Soriano and T/Sgt. Ivan Fernandez were both dismissed from the service effective Aug. 21 upon the order of PSG commander Gen. Glenn Rabonza.

Soriano and Fernandez were part of the advance security team of President Arroyo who visited Cebu last August.

The two were accused of mauling taxi driver Valentin Perez and harassing Jose Ferlito Serudifa and Tommy de la Rama last Aug. 15 after they requested to be brought to the port area from a drinking binge.

The two allegedly kept cocking their service pistols and threatened to kill the taxi drivers.

City prosecutor Jose Pedrosa said that while it is true that Soriano and Fernandez were part of the advance party of the President, the offense was committed outside of their supposed function which is why the city prosecutor’s office decided to file charges of grave threats and slight physical injuries in a civilian court, and not remand it to the military for court martial.

During the arraignment of the case yesterday, only Fernandez appeared and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Soriano still has to appear in court to enter his plea. — Freeman News Service