The National Police Commission in Central Visayas (Napolcom-7) found probable cause to charge six policemen in Sogod town, northern Cebu in connection with the alleged mauling of a man who was arrested for running amok.
The Napolcom-7 said PO2 Dario Denopol, PO2 Jose Reden Hortellano, PO1 Ruel Pepito and PO1 Lamberto Lobiano Jr. will be charged for grave misconduct and serious irregularity in the performance of duty.
Chief Insp. Aldrin Villacampa, chief of Sogod police, and jailer PO2 Jose Rospel Hortellano will be facing administrative charges for grave misconduct and serious neglect of duty.
The town police chief was implicated as part of command responsibility.
“There is probable cause based on the evidence of the complainant,” said Zandro Oriol, spokesman of Napolcom-7.
Oriol said the charges were based on the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745).
In a phone interview, Villacampa said they will just wait to be summoned by Napolcom-7.
“We will answer the charges.” said Villacampa.
If found guilty, Oriol said the six officers could be suspended up to 90 days, demoted or dismissed from service.
The six policemen were accused of police brutality when a 60-year-old mechanic Danny Montecalco was arrested last July 29 for running amok in his home in barangay Tabunok.
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 and was later detained at the Sogod police precinct for 24 hours.
Montecalvo tagged PO1 Pepito as the one who kicked him twice in the body, while PO2 Hortellano and PO1 Lobiano pointed their service firearms at him.
The four policemen denied the allegations against them and claimed that a scuffle occurred when Montecalvo resisted arrest
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.
A medical certificate showed that the complainant sustained contusions in the body.
“It was possible that he (Montecalvo) was kicked twice while he was raising his hands.” said Oriol.
“There was probable cause that there was existing force in the arrest of the person,” said Oriol.
Montecalvo said the four policemen were present when his head, eyebrows, armpits and pubic hair were shaved.
Oriol said the four policemen claimed they were not present during the shaving.
“Even if you are not directly involved in the torture, as long as you have the knowledge, you are liable as principal,” said Oriol.
Oriol said the police jailer admitted that the inmates have their “house rules.”
Based on Montecalvo’s affidavit, Judaya punched him in the presence of the police jailer.
Oriol said Villacampa allegedly asked Montecalvo for an amicable settlement and not continue with the complaint./REPORTER RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL