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Saturday, July 19, 2008
Councilor to face raps for teener's death
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Stung by criticisms of police negligence, PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa directed Friday the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) to file a case of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against Councilor Alden Bacal.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
Verzosa said this would correct "impressions" of procedural lapses made by the Cocpo in the handling of investigation on the vehicular accident involving Councilor Bacal that resulted to the death of 15-year-old Junrie Balingit.
"Police will be filing reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against the suspect," Verzosa told reporters during the Philippine National Police (PNP) Integrated Transformation Program Conference held in Camp Alagar Friday.
Acting City Police Director Isagani Genabe Jr. confirmed they have received the order from Verzosa.
Genabe said they were supposed to file the case Friday afternoon but his officers ran late and was not able to get to the Hall of Justice on time.
"We will be filing the case on Monday. We are sure on that," he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Verzosa said Cocpo committed "procedural lapses" when they did not detain Bacal when he went to Carmen police station to report the incident.
"They failed to detain Bacal for investigation. It is a normal procedure," said Verzosa, who left for Manila Friday.
Chief Inspector Dexter Paje, chief of the Carmen police station 4, admitted they did not conduct any investigation on Bacal since it was a vehicular accident, which fell under the Roads and Traffic Administration.
He said their job was only to record the accident reported by Bacal in the police blotter.
"Kay Vice Mayor (Vicente) Emano man siya nag-voluntary surrender dili sa amomong station, so wala mi jurisdiction ana nga case," Paje said.
Genabe said the filing of the case will be made even if the parents of Junrie expressed their desire not to pursue Bacal.
"Ang batas ay batas. Dapat ipatupad namin ito (The law is the law. We have to comply with it)," Genabe said.
Junrie's parents, Gerardo and Regie Balingit, have already told their lawyer they are no longer interested in filing a case against the councilor.
The crime of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide fell under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. It is punishable by imprisonment of up to six years and indemnification to the heirs or relatives.
Bacal have taken a leave of absence and was reportedly in Manila to process his US visa where he plans to have a vacation. (Annabelle L. Ricalde of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (July 19, 2008 issue)
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