6 cops facing raps

Six policemen are facing complaints of grave misconduct, abuse of authority, obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming of a police office, for their refusal to honor a court order issued by Hinobaan Municipal Trial Court Judge Armando Pia.

Complainant Edna Nombre, in her letter-complaint to Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said Police Officers 1 Abraham Golingan and Judesses Catalogo, and four unidentified policemen, refused to turn over the two trucks loaded with scrap iron and plastic materials she owns, and stopped Court Sheriff Roberto Repique from implementing the Writ of Replevin order by Pia on Feb. 15.

However, Chief Inspector Arnel Arpon, Sipalay police chief, yesterday clarified that Golingan and Catalogo are not members of the city police force, and the four other unidentified policemen could have been troopers of the 6th Regional Mobile Group, assigned at the San Jose police outpost.

Nombre said the two truckloads of scrap metals and other junk materials valued at P100,000 were intercepted last month by Abraham Javier, Edwin Balinas and Jesus Sagmon at gunpoint, in Sitio Si-alay, Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan, who were later joined by Golingan, Catalogo and PO1 Cesar Espinosa.

The complainant said NOPPO issued a permit for her to transport scrap materials on Jan. 25, which was valid until Feb. 3, after the Hinobaan police also issued a certification, that no adverse claims were filed against the scrap metals and plastics.

Nombre added the two trucks were brought by policemen-respondents and impounded at the San Jose police outpost in Sipalay City, without presenting documents legally authorizing them to confiscate the vehicles and its cargoes.

On Feb. 14, Pia ordered the sheriff of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court to take immediate possession of Fuzo Stake cargo trucks loaded with scrap iron and plastic materials.

Repique said the implementation of Writ of Replevin ordered by Pia was not enforced as Golingan, Catalogo and four other unidentified policemen, stopped them from towing the two cargo trucks.

The trucks with their cargo are still impounded at the San Jose police outpost in Sipalay.

Arpon confirmed that Golingan and Catalogo refused to turn over the two cargo trucks, despite the court order issued by Pia for unknown reasons.

Nombre also filed a civil case against Police Officers 1 Golingan, Catalogo and Espinosa, as well as Javier, Balinas and Sagmon who are civilians, before the Municipal Trial Court of Hinobaan, seeking P300,000 in moral and exemplary damages, attorneys fees as well as P4,000 per court appearance.*GPB

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Would-be suicide
just needs rest

Relatives of the man who refused to come down after climbing a coconut tree in Bacolod City Tuesday, said yesterday that he just needs time to rest because of problems that have been burdening him.

As of 7 p.m. last night, Rolando Lopez, 52, had not yet come down from the coconut tree.

His family said his behavior may have been triggered by the death of his eldest child.

On Wednesday, a television report showed Lopez poking a knife at his stomach as members of his family, police officers, and paramedics tried to convince him to come down.

His nephew, Vincent, told the DAILY STAR his uncle just wanted to rest his mind and stay away from people. He said Lopez had told him he does not want to talk to anybody now and he will come down when his mind clears up.

Vincent also appealed to people to stop bothering his uncle because he becomes uncomfortable whenever a lot of people like police officers and rescuers, and reporters go near him.

Vincent also said that, aside from refusing to leave the tree, Lopez acts normally, noting that he had asked for food and cellphone load from them Wednesday.*PP

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