2 motorists lodge complaint
vs. Merced over traffic mess

Bacolod City police director, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, yesterday belied the allegation that he humiliated a Bacolod resident and his companion over a traffic problem in front of the Centerline Accessories at Lacson Street, in Bacolod City Tuesday.

Merced said he was on his way to the Bacolod City police office Tuesday afternoon when he spotted a traffic congestion at Lacson Street. When he checked it, he said, he saw several private cars double-parking in the area so he called the attention of their drivers and told them to park their cars in parallel order to avoid traffic problems.

Merced said the driver of one of the cars that had tinted windows did not move his vehicle despite his instruction. He said he tapped the hood of the car prompting its occupant, a woman to lower down its window and move a few meters away from the lane.

He said he was talking to the owner of the car shop in the area when a man, identified later as Francis Albert Seva Arceo, approached and pointed his finger at him, asking him who he was and why did he order that his car be moved.

Merced said Arceo claimed he was connected with a broadcasting company in Bacolod. Arceo did not stop shouting until he threatened to arrest him, he added.

There was nothing extraordinary about the incident, Merced said. In fact, he added nobody was spared because double parking in the road is prohibited.

Meanwhile, Arceo and his companion, Patricia Ann Seva Cooper, lodged complaints of conduct unbecoming of a police office against Merced before the Police Precinct 1 Tuesday, police reports said.

Arceo, 31, of Brgy. Villamonte said he was in the area when he saw a commotion so he approached and checked the situation. He said he was shocked when Merced shouted at him, asking him to remove his car from the area. He said he asked Merced what his violation was but the latter's bodyguard parried his hand, police reports said.

Meanwhile, Cooper, 29, of Capitol Heights, Brgy. Villamonte, told the police she was waiting her turn to have her car repaired at the car shop when Merced hit the hood of her car. She said Merced asked who gave her the authority to park her car in the area which offended her, police reports said.*DMG

back to top

Family to pursue
case vs. policemen

The family of the detainee who died in the Binalbagan town jail, due to alleged physical abuse by two policemen, yesterday said they will pursue the case against those responsible for the victim's death.

Nathaniel Albinio, brother of the victim identified as Neil Albinio, 25, yesterday said all they want is to give justice to Neil, who, they maintain, died due to mauling by Police Officers 3 Richard Jaylo and Joey Resuma of the Binalbagan Philippine National Police, in Negros Occidental.

"He was really beaten up," said Nathaniel, former government employee in Bago City, who told the DAILY STAR last night that his brother confessed to him before he died, that he was subjected to physical violence by the two policemen.

He also said that no amount of money can pay for the life of his brother, apparently alluding to the financial assistance extended by the Binalbagan government through Mayor Emmanuel Aranda.

Aranda had earlier said that he had given financial help to the victim's family, through Marife Albinio, the mother.

Nathaniel said they were not the ones who asked for the money, as it was the government who offered to help.

He added that they had already coordinated with the Commission on Human Rights in Negros Occidental for the filing of criminal and administrative charges against the two policemen.

He refused to elaborate.

Aranda had earlier belied allegations that he had urged the mother of the inmate not to blow up the incident with the media.

Neil died in the jail in the morning of March 18 due to mauling, allegedly by policemen and tanods who arrested him for theft on March 12.

Aranda reiterated his stand in a media interview at the Negros Occidental Capitol yesterday.

He had earlier said that since the time Neil arrived in San Vicente, Binalbagan to visit Nathaniel, the cases of theft in the barangay had increased.

Nathaniel said the result of the autopsy on the victim's body may be out tomorrow.*GCT

back to top

Cop denies relationship
with dancer in raided bar

A member of the Bacolod police team who raided a bar in the city Sunday, yesterday denied allegations that there is a relationship between him and one of the nine women arrested for alleged lewd shows.

Insp. Sergio Pormento, deputy commander of Police Precinct 1, yesterday told the DAILY STAR, the father of the 15-year-old girl came to the police station and asked for assistance in rescuing his daughter who was reportedly performing indecent shows in the bar.

Pormento said he responded to the complaint, which is clearly stated in the directives of Bacolod police director, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, that police officers should not observe any boundaries when responding to a complaint.

He stressed that he never had any relationship with the minor.

Meanwhile, Merced yesterday said he received reports that bar owner Bobby Tacorda is contemplating to file criminal complaints against Pormento.

He said he is encouraging Tacorda to file the complaint if there is any cause so that he could act on it appropriately.

Charges for violation of Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code, or indecent show and obscene exhibition had been filed against Tacorda and the women before the City Prosecutor's Office Tuesday.

Their bail was set at P24,000 each, police reports said.*DMG

back to top