Cop claims colleague ‘threatened’ him

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman went to Mabolo Police Station and reported that a colleague threatened him during an argument yesterday at Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City.

Police Officer 2 Jonas Combras, neuropsychological examiner of the Regional Health Services-7 stationed at Camp Sotero, alleged that he received a threat from PO3 Christian Penafiel of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

According to the report, Penafiel escorted someone to RHS-7 at 8:30 a.m. yesterday for a neuropsychological examination.

Penafiel was reportedly not wearing a police uniform and had a firearm tucked in his waist, prompting Combras to instruct him to deposit the gun at the office entrance as part of their policy.

Penafiel allegedly answered him that he would not stay long inside the building anyway.

Around 11 a.m., the two police officers met again. Combras asked Penafiel if he was a policeman and where his assignment was, but the latter reportedly refused to answer and instead asked Combras the same question.

After answering Penafiel, the two police officers engaged in a heated argument.

Combras then asked Penafiel to leave the building, to which the latter heeded. But before he did, he allegedly told Combras, “Bantay ka nako. Magkita ra ta sa gawas.”

Combras was accompanied by PO1 Francis Oliver Mata who confirmed his testimonies.

The FREEMAN learned from a source that a commotion happened inside the RHS building but Combras denied this.

Combras said he will not file administrative charges against Penafiel but is contemplating on filing a criminal case against him, saying he was “alarmed” by the threat.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Penafiel but he was not available for comment. — (FREEMAN)