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Thursday, August 31, 2006
Talk back: Serious misconduct
By Vicente E. Fernandez II
The report about P/Supt. Pablo Labra, followed by your commentary (Sun.Star Cebu, Aug. 29, 2006) has confirmed our lingering suspicion that he has not yet reformed in his ways as police officer.
The incident reminded me of how the same officer and his men treated a Muslim princess (from Marawi City), who was suspected of committing the crime of estafa against a pawnshop in Cebu City.
The princess, who was suffering from hypertension, was detained at the Mabolo Police Station for several days with only a small bench to sleep on.
She however resisted proposals to settle with the police and the pawnshop’s representatives until the preliminary investigation of the case with the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office was terminated. The prosecutors later found no probable cause to hold her for trial.
She then filed a criminal complaint against the pawnshop personnel for changing her genuine jewelries with fake ones. The case is still pending with Branch 20 of the Regional Trial Court, Cebu City.
As a result of the same incident, Labra and his men, along with the pawnshop personnel, are facing civil action for damages before the Regional Trial Court in Marawi City.
Since said case was filed until now, Labra, his men, the pawnshop personnel and their lawyer have not appeared before the said court. Is this the conduct that can be expected from him?
The recent incident involving Labra is clearly a serious misconduct in office that the Internal Affairs Service should investigate on its own initiative.
A police officer should know where to park the car he is driving. When somebody complains because of the illegal parking, a policeman/driver should apologize or be ashamed for committing a traffic infraction.
The governor should be strongly commended for holding her punches even against the threats to the safety of her own son from the hands of his supposed legal protectors.
The governor’s mother, Esperanza Garcia, who has been long observed to be a practitioner of the virtue of humility, must have nightmares over the incident involving her grandson.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 31, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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