Cop nabbed for ‘rape’ of theft suspect

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna , Philippines– A police officer was arrested after he allegedly raped a suspect in a theft case in Sta. Teresita, Batangas yesterday morning.

Senior Police Officer 4 Gregorio Mendoza of the municipal police was relieved from his post as chief of the patrol unit and was placed under the custody of the Batangas provincial police, said Senior Inspector Allan Nidua, chief of the Sta. Teresita police.

Nidua told The STAR in a telephone interview that Mendoza was disarmed and ordered to submit himself for investigation. He said Mendoza denied the allegations.

Nidua said the woman, a resident of Bauan, Batangas, filed a complaint of rape and abuse of authority against Mendoza with the women’s and children’s protection desk of the town police.

He said the woman and her live-in partner have been detained in the municipal jail for almost three months for a theft case.

Nidua said the complainant told Police Officer 2 Cristine Quemada that Mendoza reportedly took her out of the jail, brought her to a Toyota van parked near the police station and raped her.