6 Balasan cops face 90-day preventive suspension
Six policemen of Balasan Police Station are at risk of being slapped with a 90-day preventive suspension following the death of an inmate last month.
PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas said that he is waiting for the reported recommendation from the Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS).
“If their investigation falls within the authority of the (PNP) regional director, I will act on that,” Cuevas said citing that PIAS’ recommendation should be adopted by the Regional IAS.
“If the recommendation is for preventive suspension, we would abide by the recommendation. There’s nothing irregular, we will adopt by the findings of RIAS,” he added.
Those administratively investigated for the inmate’s death are SPO1 Antonio Pastrana, PO2 Rommel Bactosolo, PO1 Francis Francisco, PO1 Niel Gabo, PO1 Ramon Allan Elambre, and PO3 Rey Labordo.
In the autopsy conducted on the body of 27-year old Antonio Bagohara, it was learned that he was beaten to death.
According to PNP Regional Crime Laboratory medico-legal officer Dr. Noel Martinez, the victim suffered traumatic injuries.
“Indi mahimo sang isa ka tawo considering that dako nga tawo ang biktima. And 4, 5, 6 niya nga gusok sa wala may bali. Nagtuslok ini sa iya baga, amo to nga nag internal bleeding sa wala niya nga baga,” Martinez added.
He also suffered abrasions and hematoma. “Mga korte sang punta sang tubo, possible punta sang shotgun ang ginbungkol sa kilid niya,” the medico-legal officer added.
To note, it only took hours since Bagohara of Brgy Brgy. Aranjuez, Balasan, Iloilo got arrested until he was proclaimed dead while behind bars.
The incident started when Bagohara was arrested on the evening of December 20 at Poblacion, Balasan town.
A certain Ramon Obledo complained that the detainee waylaid and attempted to stab him.
Reports claimed that five policemen led by SPO1 Antonio Pastrana responded to arrest the suspect-turned-victim.
According to witness Nomar de Asis, before Bagobara was even brought to the police station, he already tasted the complainant’s wrath.
The alleged physical beating on Bagohara did not end there.
When he reached the police station, another witness, Arnel de Asis, claimed that he saw fireman Allan Catalan mauling the victim in front of Balasan cops.
Arnel de Asis claimed that during the incident, Balasan PNP was celebrating their Christmas party.
He asserted to have seen Bagohara’s hapless condition.
“Nagakulob siya. Ang tiil niya may gapos. Indi lang ko ka identify kung ano ang gapos. Pero daw lapat siguro. Tapos ang kamot, nakabaklid tapos may gapos man. Ang baba, may busal,” Arnel claimed.
It was gathered that even Bagohara’s co-prisoners also physically maltreated him.
