Judge orders arrest of ex-Davao Sur police chief accused of sexual harassment

DIGOS City, Philippines—The municipal circuit trial court here has ordered the arrest of former Davao del Sur police director Senior Superintendent Cesario Darantinao in connection with a sexual abuse case filed against him by at least six women, four of whom are police officers.

The warrant, issued by Presiding Judge Norma Ruste-Calatrava on July 29, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer on Monday, asked the authorities to present Darantinao before the court to answer the allegations of acts of lasciviousness contained in Criminal Case No.  97.

The charges against Darantinao were made by the six women in July 2009.

One of them, a 30-year-old policewoman, said in a signed affidavit that the then provincial police chief molested her inside the provincial police director’s quarters on April 26, 2008, after forcing her to drink beer.

Another alleged victim, the wife of a police official, said Darantinao also sexually abused her inside the police director’s quarters.

She said she found out about the ordeal of the other victims when she reported the abuse to the women’s and children’s desk of the city police.

“Unexpectedly, I learned that there were policewomen under Davao Del Sur Provincial Police Office who were also complaining of sexual advances, harassment against Senior Superintendent Cesario Darantinao,” she said.

Darantinao was immediately replaced in 2009 by Senior Supt. Ronald de la Rosa, who in turn was replaced by  Senior Supt. Vladimir Custer Kahulugan, who assumed office on Monday as Davao del Sur police chief.

Kahulugan said he has not seen the warrant for Darantinao’s arrest yet and could not comment on the judge’s order.

Kahulugan said the regional police office, under Chief Supt. Jaime Morente, must have knowledge of it already, but Morente would not return calls or answer text messages.

A police source said Darantinao is currently assigned in Camp Crame.