Independent probe urged
on police mauling claims

The new Silay police chief, Calixto Mabugat, yesterday encouraged the four victims of alleged mauling incident, to seek an independent body to investigate their claims that they were manhandled by members of the police Special Weapons and Tactics team on Saturday. Two of the four victims identified as Wenceslao de la Cruz and his nephew, John Mark de la Cruz, are now being treated for bruises and contusions at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.

The two other victims, identified as Cesar Ian Cajurao and Gary Aquino, both workers at the airport being constructed in Brgy. Bagtic, Silay City, were subjected to medical examinations yesterday.

Police investigations show that four SWAT team members responded to a call that a person drinking at the LA Refreshment along the highway of Silay City, had a bladed weapon.

John Mark who was found with a bladed weapon and was arrested by the police, called his uncle, de la Cruz, and Cajurao, his cousin, also working at the Silay airport for assistance.

De la Cruz and Cajurao who reportedly questioned and tried to intervene in the arrest of John Mark, also banged the police patrol vehicle of the Silay SWAT team, police investigations showed.

The free-for-all fight ensued after one of the four victims allegedly tried to strangle PO3 Lemuel Benetua, reports said.

Wenceslao and his nephew who claimed they were mauled by Silay SWAT team members are now being treated for bruises and contusions. Mabugat said the four alleged victims were all drunk when the commotion took place.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday ordered Mabugat to investigate the alleged mauling incident.*GPB

back to top

Bribe raps filed
vs. Bacoleña

A case for direct bribery was filed yesterday against a woman who was arrested Friday for allegedly attempting to bribe a Bacolod police officer in front of a food chain at Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City.

Chief Insp. Armando Tubongbanua, chief of the Bacolod City Mobile Group, yesterday said they filed the charges against Leah Divino Cusca, of Galo-Smith streets, Brgy. 21, Bacolod City before the City Prosecutor's Office.

Tubongbanua said Cusca was arrested by PO2 Richard Delasa after she handed to him P1,400 for the release of a Regie Estilo Turvela who was arrested for illegal gambling at Gatuslao Street at about 8:30 p.m. Friday. He said they also filed complaints for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 against Turvela who was caught in the act of possessing six tally sheets of "lotting", P240 bet money, and a motorcycle.

Cusca and Turvela are now detained in the lock-up cell of Police Station 1, he added.*DMG

back to top

'Rugby boy'
accused of rape

A suspected "rugby boy" was arrested by the police yesterday for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman at Burgos Street, Brgy. 19, Bacolod City, at about 4 p.m. Sunday.

Arman Lozada, 24, was arrested by Barangay 19 Kawagad Rizalde Decena and Police Station 4 operatives, after the woman's mother filed a complaint yesterday, police reports said.

Lozada said he had sniffed volatile substance, or rugby before he invited the woman to his house and raped her. He said he saw the woman at Burgos Street and she was "very weak". In good faith, he said, he flagged down a trisikad and brought her to his house where he fed her and gave her a P20 bill. He said the woman did not resist when he asked her to have sex. He later learned that his neighbors, who saw him and the woman, reported the incident to Decena.

Lozada denied he was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, but admitted he had taken "rugby". The woman is now in the custody of the Bacolod Women and Children Concern's Desk.*DMG

back to top