Three policemen face probe for ‘neglecting’ fellow cop in distress

Carcar City Mayor Nice Apura has sought the removal of three  policemen  who failed to come to the aid of a  fellow policeman in a confrontation with a suspected drug dealer.

PO3 Nelson Mendaros, PO1 Chuck Dayuja and PO1 Nelson Alico could face more sanctions if proven that they had a drinking session with the same man who assaulted SPO2 Jose Repompo last July 12.

Repompo and his family were on their way home when he met the suspect Sugar Ray Naveo and another man.
In a verbal confrontation, the policeman warned Naveo not to engage in the illegal drug trade in Carcar. This irked Naveo, who allegedly drew a gun.

In a  scuffle that followed,  Repompo was able to grab the gun. Naveo fled.

The three other policemen were in Naveo’s house  at the time but didn’t do anything until after Naveo fled.

They could be charged with simple neglect of duty, said Chief Insp. Teodulfo Manatad III in his report to the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch.

The three will be reassigned to headquarters pending investigation, said  Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

The mayor of Carcar wants the three removed from the city police force.

Two witnesses who were with Repompo during the scuffle said the three police officers were inside the house of the suspect but “failed or worse refused to render assistance.”

Charges for direct assault and illegal possession of firearms were filed against Naveo and his companion before the Carcar City Prosecutor’s Office.

A day  after the incident, Kim Benolirao, who identified himself as a fireman, went to the Carcar Police Station to claim the firearm. He said he pawned the gun to Naveo’s brother-in-law.

Police refused to release the gun since it would be used as  evidence.