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Friday, October 19, 2007
Cop chief downplays alleged police brutality
By Danilo V. Adorador III
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Despite a video showing Cagayan de Oro policemen beating up three suspected criminals, an unrepentant Acting Police Director Antonio Montalba said he is not afraid of police brutality charges that he and his men may face.
A mobile phone video showed some plainclothes and uniformed policemen pounding on Gabriel Pagalan, Michael Pelarion, and Renato Dahang -- all suspects in the series of robbery-homicide incidents that occurred lately in the city.
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The three were arrested Wednesday by Anti-theft and Robbery Section (ATRS) personnel.
The video -- taken by a reporter who requested anonymity -- generated criticisms from human rights officials. It was shown on an evening local TV newscast Thursday.
Thelma Cardona, mother of one of the suspects, decried the beating, saying they might file cases against those responsible.
Victorio Aleria Jr., Commission on Human Rights (CHR) investigator, said they will provide assistance to the suspects' relatives should they press charges against the policemen who took part in the beating.
Aleria said when he saw the video that policemen appeared to have acted brutally against the suspects while they were already on detention.
The video shows one policeman punching one of the suspects in the face, while the other was seen hitting another suspect with a blunt object. Some civilians appeared to have taken part in the fray.
While he is indirectly responsible for the beating by virtue of "command responsibility," Superintendent Montalba downplayed possible repercussions of the incident.
"It was just a small matter compared to their crimes. Their bruises can't cover their deeds," Montalba told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
While he is not afraid to face the consequences, Montalba made it clear that he did not condone the beating.
Montalba said he was out of town attending an election-related seminar when the incident took place.
Pagalan, Pelarion, and Dahang allegedly admitted responsibility for the separate killings of PO2 Alvin Cobrado and Jesus Carso, a pastor, in an uninhabited portion of a subdivision in Barangay Gusa.
Pelarion admitted their group was also behind the killing of a male nurse near SM Mall in Upper Carmen last month.
In addition to other cases already filed, Montalba said rape charges would be filed against the three and a still unidentified assailant who fled when police raided their hideout in Gusa. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (October 19, 2007 issue)
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