Rookie cop arrested for assaulting superior
A neophyte policeman is in hot water for assaulting a fellow policeman shortly after midnight yesterday at Veterans Village, City Proper in Iloilo City.
Police Officer 1 Joebert Castillo, 29, of Zerrudo St., Brgy. Sto. Rosario-Duran, City Proper was on a drinking binge with his friends when their group become unruly.
Insp. Terence Paul Sta. Ana, deputy group director of the Iloilo City Public Safety Mobile Company, who was in the area tried to pacify Castillo.
Sta. Ana was with his subordinate PO2 Arnold Alavarez.
But as Sta. Ana tried to subdue Castillo down, the latter allegedly questioned him.
Castillo was quoted to have told Sta. Ana, “Ano ka nga class? Indi kamo mag-intra di kay junior ta ka. (To what class do you belong? Don’t meddle here, you belong to a lower rank.”
He then mentioned the names of a certain Almaquer and Senior Insp. Artillero.
Castillo even said, “Si governor aton na. Close security ako ni Mayor Cordero (The governor is ours. I’m Mayor Cordero’s close-in security).”
The suspect might have referred to Ajuy Police Station, chief Senior Insp. Ariel Artillero.
Although assigned at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, it is still being checked if Castillo is a close-in security of Estancia Mayor Rene Cordero.
Sta. Ana then decided to arrest the suspect who was reeking with liquor.
But Castillo allegedly pushed him away and punched him on the left arm.
When he was subdued and arrested later, Castillo was also found with a caliber .45 pistol.
Sta. Ana, who underwent medical examination, said he is filing charges against Castillo, who is now detained at the lock-up cell of Iloilo City Police Station 1.
