After hitting partner, threatening boy drunken policeman apprehended

CEBU, Philippines — A 50-year-old policeman is now in trouble after being accused of maltreating his live-in-partner and pointing a gun at a 15-year old and his companion early morning yesterday in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

The suspect has been identified as Police Officer 3 Alejandro Villaflores Sultan Jr., a member of the Police Regional Office-7 marching band.

Abellana Police Station chief Eduard Sanchez said that the incident took place around 12:45 a.m., when Sultan and his partner Niña Janen Casil Orquiza, 27, were in the middle of a fight outside their house in Sitio Purok 4.

The 15-year-old, accompanied by Niño Raye Tabuelog Cabañero, 21, just happened to pass by on their way to buy something from a nearby sari-sari store, when the suspect thought they were watching their quarrel.

He allegedly pulled out his service firearm, a 9mm Beretta pistol, and pointed at the teenager saying “Unsa man imong gitan-aw?”

The 15-year old looked away and replied “Wala man ko labot ana, sir.” Cabañero came to the teenager’s defense but was also threatened verbally.

After the incident, both Cabañero and Orquiza reported the incident to the authorities. Sultan was later arrested by responding policemen around 2 a.m. yesterday.

The teenager’s mother told reporters that she is bent on filing charges against the policeman saying it was not the first time that Sultan made a ruckus in their area.

“Dili kay tungod naa siya sa posisyon maghinilas siya, unsa na lang kaha og nibuto to. Dili nako siya mapasaylo g’yud,” she said.

Sanchez said that Sultan is notorious for causing a disturbance whenever he is drunk. However, many of the complaints get settled at the barangay level.

“Daghan man niingon nga nailhan daw ni siya nga magmaoy gani kung mahubog, wala lang mo-complain diri sa atong police station kay ma-settle, ang uban pud mahadlok kay lagi pulis,” he said.

Sanchez said that during physical examination Sultan was found to be drunk.

He is now detained at the Abellana Police Station for multiple criminal charges; violation of Republic Act 9262 or Violence Against Women and Children, Article 285 (light threats) and Article 282 (grave threats) of the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act 7610 for violation of the election gun ban, and City Ordinance 1929 for drunkenness.

He is also facing possible dismissal. PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas said an administrative case for grave misconduct will be filed against Sultan.

“Nagsige na man ta og pahimangno sa atong mga pulis, pero naa g’yud gahi ug ulo. Kana we will make sure that he will be penalized in accordance with what he deserves, he will be dismissed from service but tagaan nato chance to explain his side,” Sinas said. — BRP (FREEMAN)