A POLICEMAN from Talisay City’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team denied allegations that he mauled and pointed his service firearm at a junkshop worker in Barangay Lagtang last Monday.
PO1 Carl Sebial went to the Talisay City Police Station yesterday to face an investigation by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB) over allegations that he mauled and threatened to kill Crisologo Magdalones.
Sebial was relieved from his post pending the investigation and was ordered to turn over his service firearm to Talisay City Police Chief Supt. Germano Mallari.
Magdalones , a resident of Barangay Sudlon 1, Cebu City, alleged that Sebial mauled and threatened to shoot him after the motorcycle he was driving hit the rear portion of the motorcycle driven by Sebial.
The complainant also claimed that Sebial was drunk that time.
But Sebial denied that he was drunk.
He also showed reporters his bruises and injuries, which he said he sustained during the incident.
Even though he denied mauling the victim, Sebial plans to ask for forgiveness.
In a separate interview, Mallari said that for now, they are initiating the administrative investigation to determine if Sebial has committed any lapse, even if he was off duty time.
Mallari urged Magdalones to prepare his evidence and a witness who can help him clear his name.
He said that even if Magdalones will not file any criminal charges against Sebial, the administrative proceedings against the police officer will continue.
Police Deputy Regional Director for Operations Rey Lyndon Lawas said the inquiry on Sebial’s administrative liability also will not stop even if the latter apologizes to the complainant.
He said it is up to Magdalones to file criminal complainants against Sebial.
Lawas said Mallari was instructed to conduct an evaluation on the officer before an administrative complaint will be filed against him.
In his opinion, Lawas said it was not necessary to hit the complainant, who admitted he was at fault for bumping Sebial’s vehicle.
The official said Sebial should have confiscated the license of Magdalones and called a traffic investigator.
“He should not take the law in his hands bisan polis pa siya (even if he is a police officer),” said Lawas.
In a separate interview, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas plans to summon Mallari to shed light on the allegations against Sebial.
Gullas told reporters yesterday that he doesn’t tolerate police officers who abuse civilians.
Earlier this week, Magdalones sought the help of the Police Regional Office 7 to assist him in his complaint against Sebial.