Police personnel relieved, police chief slapped with raps after Fabel Pineda's death

All police personnel of Cabugao Municipal Police Station and San Juan MPS in Ilocos Sur were relieved from their duties and the Cabugao MPS chief was slapped with obstruction of justice charges following the death of Fabel Pineda, a 15-year-old complainant of sexual assault.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said on Sunday the relieved police personnel will undergo refresher training.

“Sila po ay tinanggal sa police station at sasailalim sila muli sa pagsasanay upang ma-refresh ulit sa kanilang duties and responsibilities,” Banac said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

“May mga ganun talagang observation (neglect) kaya sasailalim sa refresher training itong mga pulis na ito,” he said.

“Kailangan natin na tuloy-tuloy na paalalahanan, na mag-undergo ng mga training ang ating mga pulis para talagang malagay sa kanilang isipan na ang paglilingkod sa ating mga mamamayan ay talagang seryosong bagay,” Banac said.

The PNP spokesperson said Cabugao Police Captain Ramil Llarenas and Cabugao cops are also facing administrative cases.

“Sinampahan na natin ng kaso na obstruction of justice ang hepe ng Cabugao Police Station dahil sa pagpapabaya doon sa kaso,” he said.

Pineda, a resident of Cabugao, earlier filed a complaint against two police officers of San Juan MPS who arrested her and her cousin for violating the curfew.

She said Police Staff Sergeants Randy Ramos and Marawi Torda of San Juan Police attacked them but she managed to escape from the two cops.

The victim filed a complaint against Torda for alleged acts of lasciviousness, while rape charges were also filed against Ramos by her 18-year-old cousin.

After filing the complaint, Pineda was killed.

According to the PNP, murder charges were filed before the Provincial Prosecutor of Ilocos Sur against Ramos and Torda.

PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said last week he has directed the Internal Affairs Service to immediately dismiss from the police service the cops allegedly involved in the victim's killing. 

The Commission on Human Rights, UNICEF and Child Rights Network condemned the killing.

The House Makabayan Bloc meanwhile has filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the rape and killing of the 15-year-old.

House Resolution 1028 directs the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality to hold an urgent investigation in aid of legislation into the teenager's killing, and asks the panel to recommend measures to strengthen existing laws protecting women and to give justice to victims of men in uniform. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News