CA finds cop guilty of grave threats

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman will have to spend three months in jail after the Court of Appeals denied his petition for review on the Municipal Circuit Trial Court decision finding him guilty of grave threats.

Associate Justice Maria Elisa Sempio Diy of the Court of Appeals 19th Division affirmed the decision of the MCTC in Toledo City which meted PO3 Albert Triplitt, Jr. the penalty of three months imprisonment and P500 fine.

“Wherefore, premises foregoing, the instant petition for review is hereby denied. The February 11, 2008 decision and March 24, 2008 order of Branch 29 of the Regional Trial Court of Toledo City are affirmed,” the decision read.

Diy said that based on the documents, the lower courts were correct in holding Triplitt guilty of the offense charged.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Francisco Teleron in 2004. The complainant said that on April 11, 2004 at 3:30 p.m. he was inside a cockpit arena in Aloguinsan where Triplitt was also round.

Teleron said he bet P200 over a cockpit against the policeman and won. However, Triplitt allegedly refused to pay his winning. Teleron was instead asked by the accused to follow him at his house.

The complainant obliged but the policeman pointed his caliber .45 pistol at him and threatened to kill him.  Triplitt denied the charges but the court found no basis for the complainant to fabricate the complaint.

“We, however, find no reason for Teleron to fabricate the accusations against petitioner. As found by the MCTC, petitioner and Teleron had been friends prior to the incident. Petitioner’s version of the story further does not show that Teleron harbored any animosity against petitioner as would induce Teleron to make up the serious criminal charges against petitioner,” the appellate court ruled.  (FREEMAN)