Friday, March 23, 2007 Cop chief faces new complaint By Mia E. Abellana Sun.Star Staff Reporter
BEFORE the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management (PIDM) Branch could wrap up their investigation on Minglanilla Police Chief Joseph Mangaron, another complaint was lodged against him.
Tungkop, Minglanilla Barangay Captain Olga Villamor Fiel appeared at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) yesterday to file a complaint against Mangaron for neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer and sexual harassment.
Fiel told reporters that she approached Mangaron and sought assistance after an Austrian sexually harassed her and some women last Feb. 25.
Instead of arresting the Austrian, Mangaron allegedly told her to ignore the incident and be happy there were foreigners in her village.
“Sagdi lang na kapitan. Foreigner man na...Aw sige, atong dakpon pero ato pangwartahon (Don’t mind it. He’s a foreigner. Okay, we’ll arrest him but we’ll fleece him),” she quoted Mangaron as saying.
Fiel said she would not have gone through with the complaint had he written an apology after the incident.
Dinner antics
“How many weeks have passed but I still did not get the written apology. He said he was very busy. If he was sincere in his apology, he would have done it right away. Bisag bisaya pa na, mudawat ra man ko (Even if the apology was in Bisaya, I would have accepted it),” Fiel told reporters.
Because she threatened to push through with the case, Mangaron reportedly invited her to dinner to settle the matter.
Instead, he got drunk and began touching her legs and hugging her close, she said.
He also reportedly left without paying the bill.
Senior Supt. Carmelo Valmoria said he will evaluate the PIDM’s investigation report on Mangaron’s first probe before he decides to retain him at the Minglanilla Police Station or not.
Mangaron is also under investigation for releasing two persons arrested for child abuse before filing a case.
‘No basis to detain them’
There were rumors circulating in the town that he received P80,000 from the two in exchange for their release.
Mangaron said he had to release them because the reglamentary period had lapsed.
But PIDM Chief Teofilo Siclot said it is only the prosecutor that can say if the reglamentary period has lapsed.
The two stall vendors were arrested for allegedly binding a 13-year-old boy in chains after catching him stealing their wares.
Fiel said that Mangaron again tried to ask her not to push through with the complaint because he already had a pending investigation.
She showed reporters a text message sent to her last Wednesday asking her not to continue with her complaint because he already had enough problems.
“Ayaw na lang pun-i akong kaso kay mapun-an na sad akong problema (Don’t file a case and add to my problems),” Fiel quoted him as saying.
Mangaron was not at the police station when Sun.Star called to get his comment. His cellular phone also could not be reached.
Valmoria told reporters he is encouraging the public to come out and expose the abuses committed by his personnel.
“We will observe due process. All sides will be heard,” Valmoria assured.
