3 Cagayan cops probed for 'torture’ of teenager

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– Three Cagayan policemen are facing summary dismissal proceedings for allegedly beating up a 16-year-old boy to force him to admit being part of a car theft gang.

Senior Supt. Mao Aplasca, Cagayan police director, said the three lawmen – PO3 Jefrey Salmaza, PO2 Larry Anco and PO1 Remando Domingo – have been recalled to the provincial police headquarters in Tuguegarao City pending the investigation.

Reports said the three police officers were all previously assigned to the northwest town of Allacapan where the alleged torture happened last Sept. 1.

The three are now on floating status while they are being subjected to “pre-charge investigation.”

“They have already been relieved from their posts and disarmed… If there is probable cause, they will be subjected to summary dismissal proceedings,” Aplasca said.

According to reports, the three policemen allegedly flagged down the victim and a companion who were on board a motorcycle without a license plate at the Allacapan market and forced him to board their patrol vehicle.

There, the victim recounted, the policemen allegedly punched and hit him with a rifle butt and even strangled him with a car seatbelt to force him to admit being a member of a car theft gang.

The victim later reported the alleged torture to the police officers’ superiors while recovering from severe wounds and bruises he suffered as a result of the incident.