Cop faces dismissal for sexual assault on quarantine violator

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer accused of sexually assaulting a quarantine violator in Mariveles, Bataan is facing summary dismissal proceedings, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said he ordered the immediate commencement of the dismissal proceedings against Pat. Elmer Tuazon Jr., who along with civilian marshal Armando Dimaculangan was accused of sexually assaulting a quarantine violator they caught in Barangay Batangas II.

Charges of rape by sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness were filed against the accused after a prosecutor found probable cause against them.

Eleazar urged the public to immediately file complaints against police officers involved in illegal acts.

Meanwhile, in Laguna, three police officers were relieved from their posts yesterday in connection with the allegedly illegal arrest of a man and for planting evidence in San Pedro City.

Lt. Jieelson Aban, intelligence officer of the San Pedro police; Cpl. Froilan Mungcal, and Pat. Christian Benitez were disarmed and placed under restrictive custody pending investigation of the charges against them.

The relief was based on a text message received by Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police director.

The sender of the message informed Cruz that Rich Mark Hermosa had a quarrel with the police officers, who launched the sting in Barangay Pacita 1 last Tuesday.

The message said the officers had no warrant when they arrested Hermosa, and that they planted the marijuana as evidence during the sting.

The officers accused Hermosa of engaging in the illegal drug trade, the message said.

The officers denied the allegations.