Cops relieved for 'mauling' guard

CEBU, Philippines - Two policemen assigned at the Lapu-Lapu City Police were relieved from their posts after they were accused of mauling a security guard who was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl. The security guard, Roger Mancao, 39, reportedly caught the girl shoplifting at a mall in the city last July 3. He was arrested last Thursday.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Director Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas told ABS-CBN yesterday afternoon that he has relieved his men, Senior Insp. William Homoc and PO2 Philip Bon Delima. Both were assigned at Police Station 5.

A formal investigation will be opened to look into Mancao’s allegations.

Mancao said he will be filing a case of serious physical injuries, unlawful arrest, grave coercion and torture against the two policemen. Lawyer Inocencio Dela Cerna, lawyer of the mall’s management, assisted Mancao yesterday and said they want the policemen suspended preventively pending investigation.

Mancao alleged that the two policemen mauled him in a room at Police Station 5 where he was brought after a medical check-up at the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital following his arrest.

It was Homoc that led the team that arrested him past midday last Thursday.

Mancao was arrested after the 15-year-old girl alleged that he molested her at the mall’s office where she was brought after being caught for allegedly shoplifting. She alleged that Mancao kissed and hugged her and promised that she would be freed.

The girl is Homoc’s niece and it was to the policeman whom she reported the alleged acts. She informed her uncle about what allegedly happened two days after the alleged incident.

The girl also denied she was shoplifting and said she was only testing a perfume and was bringing the bottle while looking for other items. In fact, she said, she was still inside the mall when Mancao arrested her.

Mancao, for his part, denied molesting the girl and said it was her who hugged him and asked that she be forgiven and released.

Homoc denied hurting Mancao and said the security guard might have sustained the bruises in different parts of his body when he allegedly tried to resist arrest.

Mancao is still detained at Police Station 5.  (FREEMAN)