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MANILA, Philippines — Police trainees assigned to the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station who were accused of rape have been ordered removed from the program, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said.
Eleazar said on Thursday that he directed the officers in the police station to remove immediately from the police field training the two police trainees, identified as a certain AJ Magsino and Jack Marquez.
According to reports the PNP chief received, Magsino allegedly invited a female text mate to meet at a motel where they had sex. But right after their tryst, Magsino left the girl and Marquez went into the room to rape the victim.
The victim managed to escape and report the incident.
“Nakakulong na ang dalawang police trainees na inakusahan ng rape at sa ngayon ay nahaharap sa kasong administratibo at kriminal. Ito ay patunay lamang na normal na ang mabilis na aksyon ng PNP sa pagtugon sa mga reklamo sa aming hanay dahil ito naman ang ating ipinangako sa ating mga kababayan,” Eleazar said in a statement.
(The two police trainees accused of rape are already detained and are currently facing administrative and criminal cases. This is proof that the PNP’s quick action on complaints against our ranks is normal as we have promised the people.)
“Ipinag-utos ko na agad alisin sa field training program ang dalawang police trainees. Seryoso ang bintang laban sa dalawang ito kaya’t inatasan na natin ang Rizal Provincial Police Office na masusing imbestigahan ang kaso,” he added.
(I have directed officers to remove immediately these two police trainees from our field training program. The accusations against them are serious that is why we have tasked the Rizal Provincial Police Office to probe the matter thoroughly.)
Eleazar said that the complainant would get protection from the PNP while the case is ongoing.
“Hahayaan nating gumulong ang isinasagawang imbestigasyon sa mga kasong administratibo laban sa dalawang police trainees na ito at ipapaubaya na rin natin sa korte ang pagdesisyon sa kasong kriminal na isinampa laban sa kanila,” Eleazar said.
(We would let the investigation roll out regarding the administrative cases filed against the police trainees, and at the same time we are leaving it up to the courts to decide on the criminal cases lodged against them.)
“Subalit kung mapatunayang totoo ang alegasyon, hindi na natin hahayaan pang mapabilang sa hanay ng PNP ang mga ito. Ngayon pa lang ay dapat putulin na ang anumang pagkakataon ng mga ito na makapasok sa PNP at makapang-abuso pa ng kapangyarihan,” he added.
(If proven that the accusations are true, we would no longer let them join the ranks of the police officers. As early as now, we should cut off any chance of them joining the PNP and propagate abuses while they are in power.)