Man’s capture goes wrong; arresters become the arrested

CEBU, Philippines -  Four employees of a private drug rehabilitation center were arrested after they mistakenly handcuffed a man having dinner with his girlfriend in a restaurant, thinking he was their would-be patient.

Cases of illegal arrest and physical injuries will be filed against Sonny Parangan, 30; Anthony Lua, 31; Milco Godinez, 30; and Allan Ouano, 27, all employees of Metro Psyche Inc., a private drug rehabilitation center located in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Said employees were arrested by two security guards of Oakridge Park in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City Tuesday evening and turned over to Casuntingan Police Station after they illegally handcuffed and arrested Christian Roy Dunken, 30, of  Cebu City who was dining with his girlfriend in one of the restaurants in the area.

It was learned that prior to the incident, their company was hired by a client to pick up her son who was also in the same restaurant where they erroneously handcuffed Dunken.

The mother wanted her son picked up as she wished him undergo drug rehabilitation.

Accordingly, the client told the suspects they would be met by two other men, allegedly policemen, who would then point to them their subject of arrest.

When they arrived at the area, they were indeed met by two men claiming to be policemen, who then pointed to the victim as their subject.

Few moments after, the suspects approached and handcuffed a surprised Dunken,  who  tried to resist arrest but was instead dragged towards a waiting silver Toyota Hi-Ace van with plate no. YLA 129.

Because of the commotion, the two security guards came to rescue the victim and arrested the four suspects as police assistance was immediately sought. The two men, who claimed to be cops, hurriedly left the place.

At the police station, it was known that the four handcuffed the wrong person while the real subject was reportedly still inside the restaurant.

Casuntingan Police Chief  PSr./Insp. Philipp Silva said the suspects were currently detained because the victim's lawyer has prepared cases of illegal arrest and physical injuries against the four.

"There's no malice with what they've done because they were in performance of  their duties, apan ni-shortcut lang gyud ni sila, wa nagpangutana ug wa giklaro pag-ayo kun mao na ba gyud to ilang subject busa sila na hinuon maoy na-shot diri sa prisohan ," Silva said. (FREEMAN)