On police complaints: No agreement reached in talks with hospitals

CEBU, Philippines - No agreement was reached in yesterday's dialogue between government agencies over the complaint of the police that they are not allowed entry into hospitals in the conduct of their investigations.

But Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador, Jr., director of Police Regional Office-7, said they are hopeful that the concerns would soon be addressed.

Senior Police Officer 2 Ruth Violango of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said earlier complained that her colleagues were not allowed entry by the security guards at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

Homicide investigators wanted to talk to Richard Esgana, a resident of Sudlon in Barangay Lahug, who was shot by unidentified man last week along General Maxilom Avenue, but were barred from entering the hospital.

In yesterday's dialogue, Dr. Anthony Paradilla of the VSMMC said in serious cases, they will not allow police investigators to intervene in medical operation.

In the case of Esgana, Paradilla said the victim was shot near his heart.

Prosecutor Liceria Rabillas of the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office said there are instances that either the complainant or the suspect was brought for treatment.

But she said they have to go to the hospital to conduct the inquest proceedings, wondering where they will ask permission to enter the hospital.

Rabillas and Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba also said that police officers are having difficulty in securing medical certificate of a crime victim.

But Paradilla said they can give abstract medical certificate but not the medical certificate, which will only be released by the time the patient is being discharged from the hospital.

The prosecutors and the PNP suggested that there will be a point person in the hospital to be contacted in their inquest proceedings and investigations.

Prosecutor Beinvenido Mabanto of City Prosecutor's Office said banning investigators from entering the hospital to talk to the patient except for serious cases is an obstruction of justice.

Comendador said there will be another dialogue on the issue. — Mylen P. Manto and Hazel Grace T. Namit (FREEMAN)