Thursday, February 21, 2008 Policeman accused of extortion facing another complaint
AFTER his arrest for an alleged extortion attempt, SPO1 Romeo Cabrera (not PO3 as earlier reported) is facing another complaint, this time from a woman who owns a restaurant on N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City.
Arlene E. Narval has lodged a complaint against Cabrera before the Cebu City Internal Affairs Service (IAS) for conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Cabrera, a former investigator of the Cebu City Traffic Police Section, allegedly “humiliated and threatened” to slap Narval after the police officer complained about the high prices of food and beverages in her restaurant.
Narval furnished copies of her affidavit-complaint to Traffic Section Chief Jonathan Abella, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador, City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) executive officer Arnel Tancinco, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) 7, and the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas.
Comendador, in an interview with reporters, said he referred the complaint to the IAS because Narval is a private complainant and the incident occurred beyond the duty hours of Cabrera.
According to Narval’s complaint, the incident occurred at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 inside her restaurant, Narv’s Foodhauz, on N. Bacalso Ave.
The incident occurred two weeks before Cabrera got arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 for allegedly extorting money from the girlfriend of a man he had earlier arrested for a traffic-related incident.
Complaints of violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and two provisions of the Revised Penal Code were filed by the NBI 7 against Cabrera before the ombudsman.
Cabrera has been relieved and transferred to the Security and Service Group while facing investigation.
Narval alleged that Cabrera was with two other men when he arrived in her restaurant and ordered bottles of beer.
He was later joined by other persons who were reportedly employees of the Land Transportation Office.
When Cabrera’s group was about to leave, the police officer approached the counter and asked for the bill, which amounted to P633.
At this, Cabrera reportedly questioned why the bill reached that amount. Narval said it was based on their orders.
Tantrum
This irked Cabrera who allegedly crumpled and tore the bill given to him while complaining about the expensive food and drinks.
Not contented with what he did, Cabrera allegedly took a plastic chair and threw it away, catching the attention of other customers, who left the restaurant.
Narval scolded Cabrera for his actuation and the latter retorted, “Hilas kaayo ka di pagunit, ngano man private property naka sa bombero tig gunit og hose?”
Narval ignored Cabrera and instead re-wrote the amount that covered the orders by Cabrera’s group and gave it back to him.
Cabrera again crumpled the bill and threw it away.
Insult
Narval confronted Cabrera. The policeman allegedly just shrugged and allegedly threatened to slap her. An argument ensued, prompting Narval to tell Cabrera that she would call the police hotline 166.
The policeman allegedly said, “Bisan pa og 155 imong tawgon, hadlok diay ko (Even if you call 155, do you think I’m scared?)”
When Narval was about to call the police hotline, Cabrera allegedly went after her, prompting Narval to run in front of her restaurant.
When Cabrera failed to catch up with her, he allegedly banged the cover of a pot while uttering nasty words against Narval.
Cabrera also teased the food server by saying “Ikaw, imong papa pulis kay mura’g pito imong ilong (your father must be a policeman because your nose looks like a whistle.)”
Narval said that whenever Cabrera went to her store, he acted like a toughie and brandished his firearm, causing fear among her customers. (JST)
