Anomaly at Batangas police station probed

SAN JUAN, Batangas , Philippines —The National Police Commission (Napolcom) is investigating reports that a detainee facing seven counts of rape was allegedly allowed to leave his cell in this town’s police station to work as a mechanic.

Napolcom-Calabarzon director Owen de Luna said video footage taken by the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group during an inspection last month showed the detainee being taken out of his cell without handcuffs and returning several hours later.

Ronald Banzuela, Napolcom-Batangas chief, told The STAR that the San Juan police station is also facing issues regarding entries in the police blotter, questionable detention practices and irregularities in the performance of duties by some personnel.

The Napolcom-Calabarzon said it is ready to act as a nominal complainant to ensure accountability among police personnel found responsible for the reported violations.

Batangas police director Col. Oliver Ebora ordered a thorough investigation into the reported irregularities.