4 cops probed over bullied rape suspect

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima yesterday ordered an investigation against four policemen, who failed to stop Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim from allegedly bullying a rape suspect last week.

SPO1 Fernando Manzon, PO2 Dante Alejandrino, SPO1 Ritchie Bautista, and SPO1 Rescaridad Azares, all members of the Manila Police District Station 7, were ordered to explain the incident involving Lim and robbery and rape suspect Mc Ryoren Rapis, 23.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP Public Information Office chief, said the four policemen were supposed to protect the suspect from alleged bullying of Lim, who reportedly forced him into admitting the charges against him.

“We would like to remind our fellow policemen and officers that firing line mode of suspects or presenting them to the media is inhumane,” said Sindac.

Based on the video footage, Lim was holding Rapis by his right arm and forcing him to admit to raping, robbing and attempting to rape three women in separate occasions in Manila in a span of just six days.

Police records showed Rapis was accused of raping a pharmacy assistant, 22, who was walking along Jose Abad Santos street in Tondo on June 12. He allegedly attempted to rape a 24-year-old woman along Juan Luna street also in Tondo on June 16 and robbed a nurse along T. Mapua street in Sta. Cruz on June 17.

Police said one of the incidents was captured in a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera.

The CCTV footage led police in arresting the suspect and was eventually presented to Lim.

The mayor, however, maintained that Rapis had confessed to the crimes before the police prior to the press conference.