Cop who ‘harassed’ Treñas’ kids accused of murder
If Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas will indeed file charges against PO1 Ronnie Refugio, it won’t be the first time that the latter will be indicted.
This, as records showed that Refugio was accused of murder almost 12 years ago.
His brother, PO3 Rolex Refugio, stood as co-accused in the murder charge filed by the family of Joel Grajo alias “Cora” of Brgy. Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City.
Both brothers are now detailed as two of the four security personnel of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez, Sr.
Records from the PNP Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division (RPHRDD) claimed that Grajo’s sister, Shirley, rapped the two for killing Joel in the presence of several witnesses at around 11:45 p.m. of June 1, 1998.
One witness claimed to have seen Ronnie shooting Grajo while his brother, Rolex, also positioned himself and shot the victim.
While Ronnie stopped shooting the victim, his brother Rolex allegedly continued firing.
Another eyewitness claimed after he heard a gunfire, he hid behind the wall of a house and saw the incident.
The said witness attested to have seen Rolex shooting the victim who raised his arms in an attempt to surrender himself while saying: “Ano ang sala ko sa inyo man?”
But in their counter-affidavit submitted at the PNP regional office, Rolex and Ronnie, who were assigned at the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and the Regional Mobile Group (RMG), vehemently denied the accusations.
Ronnie claimed that he was in a drinking spree at a sari-sari store with some friends from Negros Occidental prior to the incident.
One of his companions allegedly went to the other side of the road but the victim followed him when he went back.
Grajo, who was allegedly drunk, asked for two bottles of beer.
Later, Ronnie told him to go home. Another man accompanied the victim.
But 30 minutes later, the respondent claimed that Grajo came back and hacked Ronnie, who was hit on the arm.
He allegedly continued swinging the bolo, which allegedly prompted Ronnie to draw his firearm and shot the victim.
But Ronnie claimed that he was not certain if the victim was hit or not.
After which, successive gun fire was heard but Ronnie alleged that he was not aware who made the shots.
Moments later, Ronnie claimed that Rolex arrived and helped in bringing him and Grajo to the hospital
Amid the accusations and counter-allegations, Shirley executed an affidavit of desistance reasoning the non-availability of witnesses in December 29, 1998 while the two witnesses also did the same.
An observer claimed that the suspects and the victim’s family might have reached an amicable settlement.
Harassment
To note, Refugio hugged the headlines after he was accused of harassing the children of Mayor Treñas during a relief goods giving among fire victims at Brgy.Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City.
Siblings Raisa, Miguel, and their two brothers, who are both minors, reported to La Paz Police Station that they were at Nabitasan Elementarty School, the evacuation center for fire victims, when Refugio accosted them.
Shortly later, Refugio shouted at them, “Ano na?! Ano na?! Nag-agi kamo sa kapitan? Diin na naghalin?”
Despite the alleged arrogance on the cop, one of the children answered that the relief goods came from Mrs. Treñas.
The siblings claimed that Refugio, on top of his voice, retorted: “Kung gabulig kamo, indi niyo paglaktan pulitika.”
“Hinambalan niya dayon kami nga ma-gwa kag indi magpinulitika. Gina-uyat-uyatan niya ang pusil,” Raisa claimed.
Raisa and her brothers claimed that they did not initially mind Refugio and went on in giving relief goods.
However, the cop allegedly stalked and threatened them.
