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[av_heading heading=’ ‘Unseen forces’ behind dismissal, says Sustento ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – The police chief of Ajuy, Iloilo, Chief Inspector Charlie Sustento, believed “unseen forces” were behind the complaint filed against him and three other policemen that resulted to the Office of the Ombudsman’s order dismissing them from the service.
“I know the truth will prevail,” Sustento said in a press conference at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) yesterday.
He declined to give names, however.
“I know there are unseen forces behind the case. But I will fight this legally,” said Sustento.
Complainants Richard Samontosa and Janice Braga accused Sustento and three other policemen of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of police officers, gross incompetence, abuse of authority, and violation of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
The complaints were filed when Sustento was then the chief of police of Dumangas, Iloilo in 2014.
Sustento wondered why the complaint was filed at the Office of the Ombudsman (graft division) and not at the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and other Law Enforcement Officers.
Sustento also wondered why they were meted with the severest penalty – dismissal.
“Granting for the sake of argument that I’m guilty, the case is not punishable with dismissal. Anyway, the order would not stop me of fighting against all forms of illegal activities,” said Sustento.
The three others ordered dismissed were Police Officer 3 Ramon Baylon Jr., Police Officer 2 Joebert Detorio and Police Officer 1 John Domzon.
IPPO director Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba Sustento will remain as Ajuy police chief pending the motion for reconsideration he filed.
Sustento will also continue to serve as head of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit in northern Iloilo, Tayaba added.
“Our morale is high despite what’s happening to our hardworking police personnel,” he stressed.
Tayaba vowed to help “our policemen who are working hard to maintain peace and order in our province.”
The IPPO is raising funds to support the legal battle of the four policemen.
Samontosa alleged that Baylon, Dimzon and Detorio invited him to the Dumangas police station around 8 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2014 in connection with an alleged motorcycle theft.
When he refused, Sustento came over and shouted at him, grabbed his shirt and pulled him from the outside of his locked gate, Samontosa claimed.
Detorio and a civilian also repeatedly hit his head while Sustento took Detorio’s firearm, and cocked and pointed it to his head, Samontosa added.
The accused officers denied threatening, harassing or hurting Samontosa and Braga.
Questioning people suspected of wrongdoing was “in line with [the officers’] duties and responsibilities,” stressed Tayaba.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said it would help its troubled officers with competent legal counsel.
“The involved police officers are actually dedicated and effective performers of PRO-6,” the regional police office said in a statement./PN
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