Mauling witness nabbed by “chance”

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has clarified that the arrest of one of the men in a mauling footage involving local cops was not connected to the controversy, saying the arrest was just “by chance.”

CCPO Information Officer Arieza Otida told reporters in a press conference yesterday that Aldrin Canonigo Nalzaro, 28, was only arrested solely after his alleged dealings were reported to the CCPO’s social media page “Itug-An Ni CD.”

Nalzaro was arrested by the operatives of the Waterfront Police Station last Tuesday, allegedly during a buy-bust operation. He was tagged as a newly-identified drug personality and a cohort of Arnel Malait “Opaw” Leonado.

The two, along with their customer, John Michael Manubag, 33, a water vendor, were accosted for selling and possessing illegal drugs.

Waterfront Police Station Chief Joemar Pomarejos said Leonado was the main subject of the buy-bust operation.

“Amo lang klaruhon na dili connected sa katong kaso ni Basillote ang pagkadakop ni Nalzaro. He was arrested because he was reported through Itug-An Ni CD,” Otida said.

Pomarejos said that they conducted surveillance for two weeks against Leonado before hatching the anti-illegal drug operation.

To recall, Basillote was mauled by alleged cops from the Talamban Police Station during a buy-bust operation last April 18 which was caught on a CCTV footage.

The footage was published online and went viral, catching the attention of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña who divulged the names of the eight alleged cops involved in the video.

Based on the blotter, Basillote’s arrest took place in Nasipit, Talamban, however, the incident reportedly took place inside a video gaming shop in Ponce Dos, Barangay Carreta, Cebu City where he lives.

Basillote was seen being kicked and punched in the video along with two other men, Noel Lucanas and Nalzaro.

Both men also served as complainant to the charges filed for torture, grave threats, serious physical injuries against policemen Reoven Carmelo Rota, Vernie Magdali, Bendro Tudtud, a certain Tagalog, Lagunsad, Adalim, and two others. — GAN (FREEMAN)