SPD official accused of rape

MANILA, Philippines - A 29-year-old woman filed charges against a Southern Police District (SPD) official yesterday for allegedly locking her in his office and raping her last Friday.

The woman, who works for a bar in Pasay City, went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday afternoon and recounted her alleged ordeal at the hands of Superintendent Erwin Emelo, who heads the SPD’s Special Operations Group (SOG).

She said she was able to identify Emelo from a nameplate she saw while she was in his office and heard several policemen refer to him by name.

The woman said the SPD raided the Miss Universe Club, where she works as a “model,” because its workers reportedly did not have working permits.

The bar’s employees, which included 65 women, were taken to the SPD head office in Taguig City.

The woman said she was at the SPD canteen when Emelo approached her and asked if she was hungry. He bought her some bread, she said.

Emelo later asked if she would like to go to his office to talk, but the woman refused and told him she preferred to stay with her co-workers. He then asked if she would like to rest in his office and, to help her feel at ease, bring one of her friends with her.

The woman said she agreed but when she and her friend were in the room, someone locked Emelo’s office from the outside.

The complainant said that after she refused his advances, Emelo pointed a gun at her and raped her while he told her friend to look the other way.

By the time she and her friend were released from Emelo’s office, the SPD had filed charges against her colleagues for working without a permit.

The complainant said when she got home, she received a text message from Emelo, asking if she was okay. She replied that she was fine, so he would not know of her plans to file charges against him.

The woman said she went to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Oct. 25 but felt that she would not get a fair treatment so she went to the NBI.

Parallel probe

Meanwhile, the SPD has started its own parallel investigation of the rape complaint against Emelo.

Superintendent Jenny Tecson, SPD spokesperson, said Emelo submitted himself to voluntary relief last Saturday and he is being held at the SPD’s District Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

“We were about to issue the order for his administrative relief but he voluntarily gave himself for custody pending the completion of our administrative investigation as there is now a complaint filed against him at the NBI,” she said.

Tecson clarified that Emelo is only serving as the officer-in-charge of the SOG as the unit’s commander, Chief Inspector Marlon Quimno, is on “schooling leave.”

Emelo has yet to issue a formal statement on the allegation, the SPD said.