Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2003
Source: Sunstar Bacolod (Philippines)
Copyright: 2003sSunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/affiliate.php3?locid=1
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1718
Author: Roberto L. Bacasong

TORCITA 'DISMISSED' FROM POLICE ROLLS

THE Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) 
has dismissed seven policemen, including two commissioned officers, who 
mauled Region 7's Intelligence Division deputy police regional officer last 
Jan. 11 in Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.

In an 11-page decision dated June 23, Senior Insp. Jessie Gascon, 
IAS-Manila Prosecutors Division acting chief, ordered the dismissal of 
Senior Supt. Lazaro Torcita, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 
regional chief; Insp. Joemarie Occeqo, PDEA provincial head; PDEA agents 
PO3 Rodolfo Gomayao and PO1 Leo Poral; and SPO3 Romeo Ortega, SPO1 Alfredo 
Salgado, and SPO1 Joel Salcedo, of the Bacolod City Police Office Station 8.

They were found guilty of mauling Chief Insp. Demosthenes Fernandez, who is 
based in Cebu City.

Fernandez said the seven policemen were "adjudged guilty as charged and 
meted with the penalty of dismissal from the police service."

But Fernandez said PNP Director General Hermogenes Ebdane has yet to sign 
the dismissal order.

Fernandez accused the seven policemen of "unwillfully, unlawfully causing 
(him) oppression through illegal grave abuse of authority and discretion, 
and physical injuries."

This came after Occeqo and Poral allegedly mauled him at 3:30 a.m. last 
Jan. 11 inside the Tanoshi Karaoke Bar, at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex.

The PDEA operatives were conducting a drug surveillance opweration inside 
the bar, owned by the jailed big-time suspected drug lord Jose Kim "Boy" 
Cuadra.

They arrested Fernandez whom they believed was not a policeman despite the 
latter's insistence that he is the deputy regional head of Region 7's 
Intelligence Division.

Fernandez said he was in Bacolod City to visit a friend.

He even presented to the PDEA agents two identification cards - one as 
chief inspector and the other as superintendent - which prove that he is 
indeed a policeman.

But the PDEA operatives nevertheless arrested him and brought him to Police 
Station 8.

Torcita went to the station to verify Fernandez' identification.

At the police station, said Fernandez, the Station 8 operatives took his 
Replacement Clothing Allowance worth P10,827, and $200.

Fernandez also turned over his .45 caliber pistol service firearm signed by 
his commanding officer, Senior Supt. Danilo Maligalig.

He claimed he was mauled in the station.

On the other hand, Torcita said he has yet to receive a copy of the 
decision. He did not comment further.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens