2 Cavite cops relieved after allegedly mauling quarantine violator

May 17, 2020

Two police officers who allegedly mauled a quarantine violator in Cavite were relieved from their post pending investigation.

In a statement, Cavite Police Director Colonel Marlon Santos said Ronald Campo, who was allegedly drunk, attempted to escape when he was brought to the police station for alleged violation of the enhanced community quarantine guidelines.

The incident happened last May 13 when Cavite was still under ECQ.

“Campo was held under the custody of General Trias Police Station for violation of liquor ban, curfew and no quarantine pass,” Santos said.

The police director said the suspect sustained his bruises and injuries for repeatedly trying to evade arrest.

“Some of his actuation nearly put himself in peril by hiding into the creek full of garbage, pieces of roof, broken crystal and similar objects. Similarly, when he jumped from the roof of Jaime Mission’s house more or less twelve feet in height,” Santos said.

“The worst of it was when he ran away and his foot was caught by the rope smashing himself on the pavement making him severely injured on his chest and face and probably around his body,” he added.

Santos also claimed the wife of Mission was held hostage by the suspect but the victim was able to defend herself and hit Campo’s head.

He said Campo was immediately rushed to the hospital after policemen noticed that he sustained injuries.

On the same day, the Cavite Provincial-Internal Affairs Service conducted ocular inspection at the area and interviewed several individuals as part of its moto propio investigation.

“At the same time, Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlon Solero, General Trias Chief of Police, immediately relieved the two involved policemen to provide impartial investigation to any formal complaint that will be filed against them,” Santos said.

He said statements from witnesses were also deemed clear that self-inflicting injuries have been sustained by Campo while escaping contrary to what has circulated in the media that he was physically harmed by the police officers.

“Our police officers, sworn to enforce the law with utmost respect for human rights, exhibited good faith by immediately bringing the suspect to the hospital for medical attention,” he said.

“Let us not be swayed by rush judgments based on emotions. Let us further look on the other side of the coin and see what is true based on evidence, facts and statements coming from the witnesses,” the provincial director added.

Santos assured the public that the PNP would dig deeper into the matter and would take appropriate actions if found that there were irregularities on the part of the police officers.

A criminal complaint for violations of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code or resistance and disobedience upon agent of person in authority, city ordinance of non-wearing of face mask, provincial ordinances such as liquor ban and curfew; and qualified trespass to dwelling has been filed through electronic inquest against Campo last May 14. Ella Dionisio/DMS