Mall guard accuses 2 Lapu policemen of mauling him

A SECURITY guard is accusing a police station chief and another policeman of mauling him after he arrested the police official’s niece for alleged shoplifting in a mall in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

Roger Mancao, a 39-year-old security guard of Gaisano Grand Mall, said he will file on Monday charges of serious physical injuries, unlawful arrest, grave coercion and torture against Insp. William Homoc, chief of police station 5, and PO2 Philip Bon Delima.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Lapu-Lapu police, relieved the two policemen from their posts while the investigation against them is ongoing.

Mancao said the mauling happened after he was arrested by Homoc on accusation that he molested the police official’s niece whom he arrested for alleged shoplifting.

Mancao said he apprehended the 15-year-old girl for shoplifting a bottle of perfume last July 3.

The girl said she just tested a bottle of perfume and denied stealing it.

The girl said the guard threatened her that she will be jailed and will be asked to pay the perfume 10 times the item’s value.

The girl said the guard brought her to a room where Mancao allegedly kissed and hugged her and was promised that she will be freed.

The girl reported the alleged sexual abuse to Homoc two days after the incident.

Mancao denied molesting the girl. He said it was the girl who hugged him while asking forgiveness.

Past noon last Thursday, police led by Homoc arrested Mancao at the mall.

Mancao said he was mauled at the police station after they arrived from the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital where he underwent a medical check-up.

Mancao showed bruises in the chest and arms.

Homoc denied mauling the guard. He said the injuries of Mancao was a result of a commotion after the guard resisted arrest.

Homoc said he is ready to face the charges that the guard will be filing against him.

Homoc said disobedience and acts of lasciviousness charges will be filed against Mancao, who is detained at the police station 5.

Mancao accused Delima of hitting hit him in the chest and heard him saying “nakabalos na gyud ko.”

Mancao alleged that he once caught Delima stealing a bottle of lotion and a bottle of shampoo at the mall. The guard said the policeman reached a settlement with the mall management./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA