Bosses to cop beaten up by Garins: Take precautions

ILOILO CITY — The Philippine National Police in Western Visayas has advised a policeman allegedly beaten up by Iloilo Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. to take precautionary measures amid reports of threats against him.

Senior Supt. Marlon Tayaba, Iloilo provincial police director, said the PNP regional office was still validating the reported threats against PO3 Federico Macaya Jr. but was not dismissing these.

“There has been no threat directly addressed to him so far,” Tayaba said.

“What we have gathered are stories being passed around through text message that have not been validated,” he said.

Tayaba said he had directed Macaya to “upgrade his security consciousness.”

Resting

He said Macaya was resting and will be assigned to the field when he reports for work.

While the source of the threats has not been identified, Tayaba said Representative Garin has called the police to deny involvement.

“He has assured me that their family is not threatening and will not threaten [Macaya],” Tayaba said.

The legislator, his father and namesake Mayor Oscar “Oca” Garin of Guimbal town and two of their bodyguards face criminal and administrative charges at the Ombudsman for the alleged manhandling of Macaya.

On Dec. 26, the younger Garin allegedly handcuffed Macaya at the Guimbal town plaza before he spat at, kicked and slapped the policeman while cursing him.

Apology

Mayor Garin allegedly also berated the policeman while pointing a gun at him, according to Macaya.

The legislator later apologized, saying he was frustrated at the failure of the policeman to file a complaint against a son of a municipal councilor who allegedly attacked another resident on Dec. 22.

The legislator and mayor had surrendered a total of 16 firearms after PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered the cancellation of all their gun licenses.

The PNP was also cracking down on a security agency believed to be owned by the Garin family amid reports that this was being used to maintain a private armed group.

Security firm

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police director, said the Iloilo-based Executor Security Agency was being monitored by the PNP’s Regional Civil Security Unit.

While the license of the agency was issued to a person other than the Garins, Bulalacao said police have gathered “validated reports” that the company is owned by the Garin family.