Arrested "sikad" driver doused with hot water, eyes mashed with salt, chili
Top cop assures of probe on police brutality plaint
Thursday"s arrest of two brothers in Barangay Sooc, Mandurriao District, Iloilo City has now taken a different twist from alarm and scandal faced by duo to alleged police brutality of their captors.
The incident as reported involved siblings Rene and Pedro Grementer of said barangay brought in by operatives of Police Precinct (PP) 5 in said district. With charges lodged against the two before the Iloilo City Prosecutors Office, PP5 police will also have their own explaining to do on the condition of the 38 year-old Rene hours after he was brought in for detention.
In a report, The News Today gathered that the younger Grementer was rushed to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) for injuries sustained particularly on his head and face. An apparent victim of mauling, information disclosed that Rene was further doused with hot water, his eyes mashed with salt and chili and face poured upon with vinegar. He remains in hospital confinement as reports of his condition reached the local media.
In an interview, P/Senior Insp. Kim Legada, PP5 director told Bombo Radyo he will have the incident investigated while outrightly clearing his men of any wrongdoing in handling the Grementer siblings. This, as he said that at least seven of the PP5 police even had to help in trying to subdue Rene who was then the more unruly of the two.
The cops were called in after barangay folks complained of a commotion and disturbance caused by the duo who were reportedly intoxicated. PP5 records showed similar complaints in the past alongside with malicious mischief charges put on record by the locals pointing to the two as their usual suspects.
Reached for further information, PO1 Ruben Garondo denied to The News Today any excessive police force used on the Grementers. Pedro meanwhile, remains in police custody while Rene recuperates at the WVMC.