THREE policemen in San Fernando were relieved of their duties and their firearms were recalled after a woman accused them of raping her inside the police station.
The three policemen, however, are set to file countercharges against the woman and her mother.
Police Col. Engelbert Soriano, Cebu Police Provincial Office officer-in-charge, said Monday, May 10, 2021, they have evidence to prove that the three policemen were not in the station at the time that the alleged rape happened because they were instructed to respond to an incident.
Investigation also showed that it was not the first time that the woman lodged such a complaint. She had also accused other policemen from other police stations of rape, Soriano added.
Police Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo, director of Central Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO 7), said he noted inconsistencies in the woman’s statements.
Nonetheless, Montejo said he immediately ordered the relief of the three policemen and placed them under restrictive custody, a disciplinary measure that confines policemen accused of wrongdoing within the camp while an investigation is being conducted.
“Police Maj. Alejandro Batobalonos called me last night about this report, so I immediately directed the provincial director, Police Col. Soriano, to disarm these police officers and place them under restrictive custody,” Montejo said.
He did not identify the three policemen pending the results of the investigation.