A PARTY list group has filed its third complaint against a police officer for allegedly participating in partisan politics.
Renil Oliva, fourth nominee of the Kabataan Party-list, said Supt. Ariel Palcuto, son of vice mayoral candidate Rico Palcuto, violated the Omnibus Election Code.
Oliva said the Code prohibits police officers from participating in election campaigns or partisan politics.
Sun.Star Cebu tried to contact Palcuto for comment yesterday, but a staff member said he was not available.
Harassed
The group earlier filed complaints at the Commission on Human Rights and the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS).
According to the complaint filed at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 7 office in Cebu City yesterday, Palcuto allegedly harassed and attacked Oliva, Bryan Laguna and other Kabataan members on April 10.
Oliva said Palcuto accused the group of tearing down the election posters of his father, a retired police colonel, whom he is openly campaigning for.
Oliva narrated that as they got off from a jeepney along Archbishop Reyes Ave., Palcuto’s vehicle stopped beside them.
Palcuto, in civilian clothing but with a gun, got off and told Oliva and his group to get inside the car.
When the group refused, Oliva said, Palcuto grabbed Laguna by the collar. As they resisted, Palcuto called more of his men and told them to beat up Oliva and Laguna.
Immediately after the incident, Oliva and his group filed a complaint at the CHR office. They also filed an administrative complaint at the police’s RIAS.
“Pero tan-aw namo hinay kaayo sila (RIAS) sa paghimo og action sa kaso (But it looks like RIAS is slow to take action on the case),” said Oliva.
Oliva hopes that the Comelec will immediately respond to the case.
Sought for comment, Cebu City north district election officer Rudy Gilos said the case may take some time since they are yet to forward the case to the law department of Comelec in Manila.
He assured, however, that the case will be investigated.