Mechanic accuses Sogod cops of police brutality

Four policemen assigned in Sogod town, northern Cebu were accused of police brutality.

An investigation has been ordered against PO2 Dario Denopol, PO2 Jose Hortellano, PO1 Ruel Pepito and PO1 Lamberto Lobiano Jr.

Danny Montecalvo, a 60-year-old mechanic, yesterday filed a complaint against the four policemen at the National Police Commission in Central Visayas (Napolcom-7).

In a phone interview, PO2 Edmond Sumalinog of the Sogod police said that the four policemen arrested a drunk Montecalvo for running amok in his home in barangay Tabunok last Saturday night.

During the arrest, Montecalvo alleged that one of the policemen kicked him while another policeman hit the mechanic in the nape.

Montecalvo was brought to the Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital for medical examination. He was later detained at the Sogod police precinct for 24 hours.

Montecalvo was released last Sunday when his live-partner did not file a complaint against him.

In a separate interview, lawyer Zandro Ronnie Oriol, spokesman of Napolcom-7, said that based on Montecalvo’s affidavit, it was PO1 Pepito who kicked him twice in the body, while PO2 Hortellano and PO1 Lobiano pointed their service firearms at him.

The mechanic said PO2 Denopol helped him stand when he fell to the ground because of the blows.

At the detention cell, Montecalvo alleged that an inmate punched him.

Montecalvo said the inmate, who was later identified as Alchris Judaya, 29, also forcibly shaved his head, eyebrows, armpits and pubic hair.

Montecalvo alleged that the four policemen didn’t do anything to stop Judaya and instead laughed at him when they saw his shaved eyebrows and head.

Judaya admitted shaving Montecalvo’s head but denied punching him.

Oriol said Montecalvo presented his medical certificate which will be used in the investigation.

Insp. Aldrin Villacampa, chief of the Sogod police, said the four policemen denied the allegations against them.

The four policemen claimed that a scuffle occurred when Montecalvo resisted arrest, said Villacampa.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said sanctions will be imposed against the four policemen if proven that the allegations against them are true./WITH A REPORT FROM CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON