PNP steps up drive vs cops facing domestic violence raps

The Philippine National Police said it is not only actively going after police officers involved in illegal drugs and other unscrupulous activities, but also those who are facing complaints for violence against women and their children (VAWC).

Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), said the PNP’s antiscalawag unit is also targeting cops who are facing other complaints for not supporting their families, hurting or harassing their partners.

Citing IMEG data, De Leon said there were 42 arrest warrants issued by the court in 2022 against police officers for violating Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004. However, only 24 police officers were arrested, or 57 percent of the cases.

The latest cop was assigned at the Maritime Group and was arrested due to complaints by his wife because of physical abuse.

According to an IMEG report, Senior MSgt. Leonardo Pascua Calubong, 39, assigned at Special Waterborne Operations School in Barangay Solo in Mabini, Batangas province, was arrested inside the police office on Feb. 9, based on a warrant of arrest.

The court recommended a bail of P72,000.

The said section defined “causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children of access to the woman’s child/children,” as VAWC penalized under the law.

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