Cop faces raps for "strangling" neighbor

CEBU, Philippines - A criminal complaint for frustrated and attempted murder was filed against a policeman who allegedly strangled a woman because he did not want the victim to use the subdivision road in front of his house.

The incident almost killed Benigna Rose Elpa Caturza.

Yesterday, Caturza filed the complaint against PO2 Dindo Tuliao before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. Tuliao is currently assigned at the Police Security and Protection Office that provides security to public officials and civilians whose life are under threat.

Caturza, assisted by Lawyer Noel Adlawan, accused Tuliao of trying to strangle her to death morning on December 9, 2009 while she was fetching her dog that had gone astray.

Caturza said their dog has wandered in front of Tuliao’s residence in Leofeville Subdivision, Tabuk Lamak, Yati, Lilo-an. When she approached the dog, she reportedly heard someone “cursing and shouting invectives” at the animal.

Caturza said she turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Tuliao, which prompted her to apologize for whatever disturbance the dog may have caused. However, Tuliao allegedly got more irked.

Caturza said she tried to reason out with Tuliao but the policeman allegedly grabbed her by the neck and started choking her.

“I felt so much pain in my neck and I was already gasping for air,” Caturza said.

Fortunately, Tuliao’s sister arrived and pacified the policeman. Had it not because of Tuliao’s sister, Caturza said, she would have been dead by now.

Caturza said Tuliao is harboring a grudge and ill will towards them because of her family’s plan to file a case of child abuse against the policeman’s sister for allegedly threatening and spraying water on her son.

The incident reportedly happened May last year, but Caturza said they did not pursue the filing of the case because Tuliao’s family had apologized. Still, Tuliao allegedly continued to “terrorize” her family.

“I could no longer stand the verbal abuses made by Tuliao to me and my children much more trying to strangle me without any provocation,” she said.

Last week, another case for child abuse was filed by Caturza’s son against Tuliao. The case is now pending before the prosecutor’s office. — Fred P. Languido/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)