By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Accused of mauling the father of a Sangguniang Bayan member of Malay town, the head of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (Paidsotg) had been relieved.
An investigation on the alleged misdeed of Inspector Wilfredo Hofileña is under way.
Senior Superintendent Iver Apellido, acting provincial police director, said Hofilena will be assigned at the Personnel Holding Unit of the Aklan Police Provincial Office in Camp Pastor Martelino.
Inspector Leopoldo Booc will take over Paidsotg in an acting capacity, Apellido said.
Hofileña allegedly mauled Adenito Gelito, 59, of Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Malay outside the Wonder Bar in the village in the evening of Sept. 19.
Gelito sustained injuries in the head and body. He was confined in the Saint Gabriel Medical Center here.
“Pati gusok ko bali man, ang ulo may tama sang baril, kag ang guya di ko mahulag (I had broken ribs, my head was hit by a gun, and my face was swollen),” said Gelito, father of Malay SB member Leal Gelito.
According to the older Gelito, “nasal-an ako nga isa sa mga nagbakol sa tiyo sang pulis (I mistaken for someone who mauled the policeman’s uncle).”
Hofileña had claimed that his uncle, Francis, was mauled by eight individuals who thought he was a police “asset.”
“Ang tiyo ko dito ang biktima. Inatasan ko lang siyang bumili ng sigarilyo sa tindahan, tapos tinanong pa siya if PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) agent siya (My uncle is the victim here. I only asked him to buy a cigarette, then some people asked him if he was a PDEA agent),” he said.
Five Paidsotg officers, including Hofileña, were in Malay after Apellido last week ordered them to report to their original assignment at the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center.
Hofileña’s relief took effect on Sept. 20, but he learned about it only the following day.
He claimed that local politicians were behind his relief. He did not name names.
Hofileña was credited for leading operations against illegal drugs in the province and Boracay.
Gelito’s other son, Kenneth, said their family will file appropriate charges against Hofilena with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
In July, Hofilena and five other Paidsotg personnel were also implicated in the alleged police brutality against drug suspect Reijie Rose.
The summary hearing on their case (grave misconduct) is pending with the Regional Internal Affairs Services in Iloilo City. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
