No preventive suspension for cop who ‘mauled thief’

CEBU, Philippines- The police officer accused of mauling a suspected thief could not be preventively suspended over the allegation, a regional police official said.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division-7 chief, said policemen accused of excesses could not just be immediately placed under preventive suspension.

This is because preventive suspension is resorted to only when it is deemed that a policeman’s continued presence could hamper the investigation into the offense alleged.

“Kung walay kuan, dili niya ma-influence ang conduct sa investigation, walay preventive suspension,” Lawas said.

Police Officer 2 Romeo Cabulao, who is currently assigned with the Cebu City Police Office Guadalupe Police Station’s beat patrol, allegedly attacked Joe Henry Bagul, of Sitio Pwesto, Barangay Napo, Carcar City, two Sunday’s ago.

Bagul was accused of taking the gadgets of Cabulao’s daughter, after she caught him trespassing inside their house in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

Lawas said they have directed Cabulao to appear at the RIDMD office to give his full statement in answer to the complaint against him.

He said they have already taken last Friday Bagul’s statement for his version on what happened.

Bagul landed at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center after he suffered injuries in different parts of his body.

Bagul’s parents went to a local radio station to ask for help and were referred to the RIDMD for the filing of a complaint.

In earlier interview, Cabulao said he could not have beaten the victim because he was inside his house when the incident happened.

Cabulao had also said his daughter identified Bagul as the man she saw in their living room when she arrived home at around 2 a.m. last Sunday. Bagul’s slippers were also recovered in the policeman’s house. (FREEMAN)