‘Cop’ Accused of Hurting Minor Over Unpaid Debt

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An alleged policeman is facing a complaint for physically assaulting a minor over the boy’s mother’s unpaid debt.

Alias Boy, 17, claimed he was drinking with relatives during a fiesta celebration in Barangay Airport, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, on the evening of June 1 when the alleged policeman arrived.

The man reportedly barged in and asked where Boy’s mother was.

Boy said he didn’t know his mother’s whereabouts.

He claimed she had not been home for four days.

The response allegedly angered the policeman, who struck him on the head twice.

A cousin intervened and told the man they didn’t know where the boy’s mother was.

The alleged policeman then left without saying a word.

Police Capt. Val Cambel, commander of Iloilo City Police Station 10, said the minor went to their office to file a complaint.

He was accompanied by his 20-year-old sister and uncle.

Cambel said the family only knew the suspect’s surname.

“They don’t know his rank, first name or unit,” Cambel said.

The man allegedly rents a boarding house in the area and is engaged in a lending business.

He had hired Boy’s mother to do collection work.

“We believe the mother failed to settle her dues with the alleged cop,” Cambel said.

Cambel added that a check with the Iloilo City Police Office showed no officer with the same surname.

“So, we can’t be certain if he’s really a cop or just pretending to be one,” he added.

Cambel said they would ask the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division of Police Regional Office 6 to verify if an officer with the same surname exists.