Probe up vs Antique cops over brutality allegations

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

THE Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will investigate members of San Jose Police Station over brutality allegations.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) will probe the alleged irregularities in the arrest of two suspected drug pushers.

“The matter will be investigated by the RIDMD. If proven that infractions were committed by our personnel, they will face the consequences of their actions,” Malong said.

With PRO-6’s intensified campaign on internal cleansing, Malong said it should serve as a stern warning that they will not tolerate the misdeeds of their personnel.

The two suspects, Raymund Juala, 28, of Barangay 5, San Jose, and Ariel Velasco, 36, of Barangay Baladjay, San Remigio, Antique claimed that police manhandled them late evening of July 2, 2019 at Barangay San Angel, Antique.

The two claimed that the cuts and bruises on their faces and bodies were courtesy of San Jose cops who allegedly kicked and mauled them.

While on board a motorcycle with a female companion, they claimed that masked men blocked their way.

They were then handcuffed and later brought to the police station.

As it turned out, the masked men are members of the Antique Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (APPO-PDEU) and San Jose Police Station.

 

RESISTING ARREST

But as far as the police were concerned, no brutality took place.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, San Jose police chief, said the two suspects suffered bruises and cuts after necessary force was applied due to the suspects resisting arrest.

The two suspects are on the police watchlist of illegal drug personalities,

Juala even finished the drug rehabilitation program for Oplan Tokhang surrenderers.

Darroca said they conducted the buy-bust operation around 11 p.m. of Tuesday.

When the police poseur-buyer, together with an asset, signaled that the transaction was consummated, the suspects allegedly put up a fight.

Juala even pulled a caliber .38 revolver from his waist.

Backup police officers who were around 15-20 meters from the buy-bust scene responded and tried to subdue the two suspects, thus the bruises.

Claiming that they don’t subscribe to police brutality, Darroca said they are willing to face the investigation against them.

They also welcome a possible counter-charge from Juala and Velasco.

But for sure, the two will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

They might also be slapped with resisting arrest charges.

Seven sachets of shabu were seized from the suspects who are active members of Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity.

The group claimed to support the San Jose Police Station’s community activities.