The News Today Online

SP rejects resolution commending cops

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The Sangguniang Panglungsod recently turned down the proposal to commend the chief of the Iloilo City Mobile Group (ICMG) and the chief of police of Mandurriao police station for successfully containing Ruben Darion Pechardo who ran amok after hacking a fifteen-year old girl.

The resolution commending Supt. Ruperto Floro, chief of the Iloilo City Mobile Group and Sr. Inspector Kim Legada, chief of police of Mandurriao, members of the Mandurriao police station and some members of the Bureau of Fire and Protection was authored by Councilor Erwin Plagata.

In his resolution, Plagata said they (law enforcers and firemen) should be commended for “having successfully contained Pechardo which otherwise could have been as much bloodier incident at Zone 1, Barangay Airport, Mandurriao. Plagata presented his resolution in last Wednesday’s regular session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

During the votation, only four councilors voted for the approval of the said resolution. They were Councilors Plagata, Erlinda Liberiaga, Ramon Cua-Locsin, and Marietta Orleans.

Eight of the councilors abstained for the approval of the resolution. The eight councilors who abstained during the votation were Councilors Eduardo Peñaredondo, who is a former policeman, Perla Zulueta, Jose Espinosa, Jed Mabilog, Merci Drilon-Garcia, Julienne Baronda, Armand Parcon and Jeffrey Ganzon.

Councilor Stevie Rey Abitang is on travel while Councilor Ely Estante is on sick leave. Before the final counting of votes, Vice Mayor Guillermo De la Llana has to call for a recess to clarify whether the councilor’s decision to abstain is also a manifestation of a 'no' vote.

Plagata’s resolution was in relation to the October 19 incident where Darion hacked Charmane Garino. The 15-year old victim was waiting for a ride when the suspect attacked her.

Darion was armed with a slingshot, knife and a bolo when he attacked the victim. The suspect was reportedly suffering from a nervous breakdown and has suicidal tendencies.

Plagata acted as one of the negotiators for the suspect to yield his weapon but to no avail. The firemen sprayed the suspect with water and yet they were not able to disarm Darion. It took police more than an hour to arrest the suspect. Cops used a bamboo pole to neutralize Darion. The suspect suffered wounds in the head and shoulder.

According to Zulueta, it was a case of an 'over kill'. There is no need to commend the cops’ and it is their duty to arrest the suspect. 'Nali maanad sila,' she said.

Videos taken by a local television station showed that the suspect was already lying down on the ground and yet a cop is still hitting Darion.