P'sinan cop faces raps for 'molesting' minor

SAN MANUEL, Pangasinan, Philippines – A policeman here found himself removed from his post and facing criminal and administrative cases for allegedly molesting a high school coed at a public auditorium last Jan. 15.

PO2 Leo Rombaoa was relieved from his post effective yesterday upon the order of Senior Superintendent Rosueto Ricaforte, provincial police director.

Rombaoa was told to report to the holding unit of the provincial police in Lingayen town pending the investigation of his cases, said Superintendent Geraldo Roxas, police-community relations head.

The complainant, a high school senior, filed an administrative case against Rombaoa with the National Police Commission office in Urdaneta City, accusing the police officer of touching her right breast and asking if she was still a virgin when he confronted her in a dark area of the public auditorium at around 10:30 p.m. last Jan. 15. 

Rombaoa allegedly threatened the girl and told her to unhook her bra and then molested her. 

Rombaoa faces an administrative case for grave misconduct, and a criminal case for acts of lasciviousness. 

Roxas said Ricaforte wants Rombaoa assigned outside the province pending the investigation.

“We condemn the actuations of Rombaoa, if these would be proven true, and we will not tolerate it. We want him penalized as soon as possible,” Roxas said.