SPD starts probe into alleged rape case vs. cop

MANILA, Philippines - The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Southern Police District has started its probe into the alleged administrative lapses committed by members of the district’s Special Operations Group on a Pasay City nightclub last October 23.

During the raid, several women working at the nightclub were arrested and were taken to the SPD headquarters. One of the arrested women later appeared at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and accused the raiding group’s leader, Superintendent Erwin Emelo of allegedly raping her inside his office.

The complainant, who said she works as a “model” at the nightclub, alleged that Emelo raped her in his office and told her co-worker, who was also inside the office, to look away.

Emelo went on voluntary relief last October 25. Emelo and the members of the SOG raiding team were relieved of their duties and are now under the custody of the SPD’s District Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit to prevent them from interfering with the probe.

Aside from Emelo, some of the 12 policemen who reportedly joined the raid were identified by the NBI as 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.

“They have been relieved last October 28. We have referred the case to the IAS for them to determine their culpabilities after it was initially found that there were lapses in procedure. They are now in floating status,” said SPD spokesperson, Superintendent Jenny Tecson.

Tecson has assured of objectivity in the administrative probe now being done by the SPD-IAS.

“They (IAS) are based here (at the SPD) but they are a separate unit. They are not SPD officers to make sure that they would be impartial,” said Tecson.