For facebook post: Woman says sorry to cops

CEBU, Philippines - The woman who accused three policemen in her post on Facebook of not paying a siomai food vendor in the down town area last month has surfaced yesterday to ask for public apology.

 Junali Relampago, 23, was accompanied by her parents to the Waterfront Police Station, where the three policemen she earlier accused of running away with their obligation to the food vendor were assigned.  

Relampago’s move to ask for apology came after Police Officer 2 Lolito Bustria, PO1 Policarpo Barliso Jr. and PO1 Jonathan Cabañero have filed criminal complaint for libel.

Relampago wants the three policemen to withdraw the complaint in exchange for her making the public apology. She, however, did not face the members of the media.

It was her mother, Liza, who made the public apology on her behalf. The mother said her daughter was traumatized because of what had happened.

“Pasayloon na lang unta nila akong anak kay unsoan man nga nahitabo na man, bisan unsaon pa pagbalik, nahuman na man,” the mother said.

Liza said they have seen on television about the news of a woman accusing three policemen on Facebook of not paying their food on November 12.

The Facebook post was denied by the food vendor, Renato Batucan, who also showed up at the police station a day after the post went viral. Batucan said the three policemen paid for the food they have consumed.

Liza said they did not know that it was their daughter who posted the libelous accusations on Facebook until their neighbors told them about it. Liza explained that their daughter also did not tell them of her problem.

Liza said it took them a while to decide to show up at the police station to ask for apology because they were worried of their security.

“Wa gyud ko nahimutang, wala mi tarong tulog, wa mi tarong kuan…. kada adlaw kay di sad lalim imong anak maingon-ana,” Liza told reporters.

Since the incident, Junali had confined herself in the room because she was afraid that the policemen would see her.

“Mao nay pagaingnon nga ang tawo masayop ra gyud, di man gyud ta ingon nga perpekto,” Liza said.

Despite the public apology, the policemen are determined to pursue the criminal complaint.

Waterfront Police Station commander Chief Inspector Jose Gesto said he was thankful of what the woman did because it has cleared their names and the PNP organization.

However, she has to face the consequences of her action.  (FREEMAN)