Cable TV worker in Bohol accuses 2 cops of beating him up

Sergio Jañola Gitgano Jr says was still in pain shortly after two police officers from the Valencia Municipal Police Station beat him up, while a third acted as lookout, early on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. (Photo by LEO UDTOHAN / Inquirer Visayas)

VALENCIA, Bohol — A cable TV bill collector and technician accused two police officers of beating him up shortly past midnight on Wednesday at a drinking session to celebrate the graduation of a friend of his.

Sergio Jañola Gitgano Jr. 24, was still in pain when he went to the Valencia Municipal Police Station to report the incident on Wednesday afternoon.

Gitgano said he was determined to press charges against PO3 Uresel Cristal, PO3 Rol Bryan Wahing, and SPO1 John Rey Ubanan of the Valencia Municipal Police Station.

But according to Senior Insp. Joseph Lopena, station chief, said the three officers were merely accosting Gitgano for alarm and scandal after neighbors complained about the noise he and his two friends were making while drinking inside the office of the cable TV station.

The cable station is in front of the Valencia Municipal Hall and at least 100 meters from the police station.

Lopena said a scuffle might have occurred after Gitgano resisted arrest.

“The police responded and it could not be prevented that such an incident would happen,” Lopena said. “The police didn’t intend to throw a punch.”

Gitgano said he and his friends were not drunk but were only eating and singing past 11 p.m. on Tuesday to celebrate the graduation of one of his companions.

When Gitgano went inside his room to sleep, three police officers who were not wearing their uniform but carrying long firearms barged into his room.

He said the two officers – Cristal and Wahing – beat him up while Ubanan served as a lookout.

He was also surprised why he was the only one punched by the officers.

One of his companions, who declined to be identified out of fear, said they saw the officers beat up Gitgano.

SPO2 Gregorio Tubio, investigator and deputy chief of the Valencia Municipal Police Station, said a concerned citizen called up their station about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday complaining that the three drunk men were noisy.

Lopena confirmed this, saying some neighbors complained to the police about the noise.

The officers went to the cable TV station to reprimand the group but were jeered instead.

Gitgano and his friends allegedly insulted the officers by singing songs with derogatory themes.

Lopena said his men were only enforcing “Oplan Sita” to curb disruptive activities.

He added the police were only trying to prevent Gitgano from doing further harm as he allegedly went wild because he was drunk. /atm