6 Aklan cops face summary hearing

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan — Six officers of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (Paidsotg) were implicated in the alleged police brutality against a drug suspect here.

The Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) had recommended them for summary hearing.

Police Officer 3 Pelegrino Palomar Jr., evaluator, earlier identified as respondents Paidsotg chief Inspector Wilfredo Hofileña, Police Officer 3 Allan dela Cruz, and Police Officers 1 Lloyd Raymundo and Rolando Dano.

Police Officers 2 Lovely Joy Raut-Raut and Gil Resoles were included after the pre-charge evaluation.

They were accused of mauling the 27-year-old suspected drug pusher Reijie Rose on July 13.

Senior Inspector Eugenio Dionisio Jr., PIAS chief, said he will submit the pre-charge evaluation report to the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) in Iloilo City this week.

In a pre-charge evaluation, the existence of probable cause based on the complaint and supporting evidence is determined.

“How Rose was mauled [and] manhandled and where he was brought by the police officers from 12:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. of July 13 were detailed by him in his affidavit,” Dionisio said. “Alicia, her mother, also executed an affidavit.”

In administrative cases, RIAS’ summary hearing officer has 60 days at the most to resolve the case, while the disciplinary authority must render a decision based on the hearing officer’s recommendation within 30 days.

Upon receipt of the case folder, the summary hearing officer will issue summons to the respondents within three days. Respondents must file their answer within five days from receipt of the summons.

Failure to submit an answer will be considered a general denial of the offense. The summary hearing officer will then summon the complainant and the respondents for a pre-hearing conference, which should be completed in two days.

The marking of evidences, hearing dates and the number of witnesses will be determined during the pre-hearing conference.

The respondent police officers may be demoted or dismissed from the service if found guilty.

Rose was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tigayon here on July 13. He was facing charges for sale and possession of suspected shabu.

He sustained injuries after being allegedly mauled by Paidsotg operatives. He had “facial bone fracture, abrasion/hematoma on the left forearm and upper lip, multiple abrasions on the right elbow and knees, and superficial hematoma on the face.”

Rose was taken to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital but, on July 18, was transferred to West Visayas State University Medical Cente in Iloilo City.

He is currently detained in the provincial jail in Barangay Nalook here. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)