Garins to face more charges if proven to have mauled more cops

MANILA, Philippines — Guimbal town Mayor Oscar Garin and his son Iloilo 1st District Rep. Richard Garin could face more charges if proven that they have mauled other police officers.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said this on Friday, after Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of the Western Visayas Police, said some retired police officers are now speaking up about the alleged abuse they experienced under the Garins.

Bulalacao said the regional police have received reports that even civilians have been physically abused by the politicians, but they were afraid to file cases or were allegedly offered money in exchange for not filing charges in court.

READ: Retired cops, civilians speak up about being mauled, too, by the Garins

“Aalamin natin iyan kung meron pa[ng other cases of mauling], and kung meron pa we will be filing additional cases against these mayor and congressman kung talagang meron pa silang sinaktan o ginawan ng masama,” Albayalde told reporters.

(We will determine if there are other cases of mauling, and we will be filing additional cases against the mayor and congressman if they have hurt or caused harm to others.)

Prior to these strong statements from the PNP, the Garins were accused of mauling PO3 Federico Macaya Jr. in Iloilo.

READ: Rep. Garin, Guimbal mayor face raps for beating up, pointing gun at cop

According to Albayalde, the PNP will support other police officers or retired personnel if they choose to speak up and file a case against the Garins.

“We will support our policemen here. Hindi naman maganda na ina-abuso nang ganyan ‘yung ating mga kapulisan lalo na kapag naka-uniporme at ginagawa lang naman ang kanilang tungkulin,” he said.

(We will support our policemen here. It’s not good that they abuse our policemen, especially if they are in uniform and are only doing their jobs.)

Earlier, Albayalde ordered the cancellation of the gun permits of the Garins following the mauling incident.

INQUIRER.net tried to contact Rep. Garin for comment, but he has yet to respond as of posting time. /ee

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