Cop accused of abusing ex-partner remains in service despite 7 complaints

MANILA — A woman who accused her former live-in partner, a police officer, of years of physical, psychological and economic abuse has sought the intervention of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), saying he remains in active service despite seven complaints filed against him.

The complainant from Antipolo City, Rizal, also accused the patrolman of various forms of misconduct, including allegedly allowing a detainee to escape, renting out mobile phones inside a police jail, and cheating in police examinations.

During a press briefing on Friday, the woman recounted how their relationship, which began in 2016, allegedly turned abusive.

She claimed the officer controlled her finances, including her credit cards and payroll ATM card.

“Noong una, kami ay maayos hanggang sa naging magulo ang aming relasyon dahil sa mga illegal drugs, babae, lagi po kami nag-away hanggang sa pag-control ng mga financial ko,” she recalled.

The complainant also alleged that the officer threatened her with a firearm belonging to his brother, at one point forcing her to point the gun at him and pull the trigger.

She also accused him of choking, punching and kicking her.

“Nagkaroon na ako ng psychological distress. Pero nung una kasi lagi niyang sinasabi na normal ‘yun na lahat ng relasyon nagkakaroon ng problema. Kaya akala ko, okay lang,” she said.

The woman further claimed that when she became pregnant, the officer gave her medication that she later discovered was intended to induce an abortion.

When it failed, he allegedly threatened to take her to someone who could terminate the pregnancy illegally.

She said the alleged abuse caused her psychological distress and eventually led to a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

But the allegations did not end with their relationship.

The complainant claimed that during the officer’s assignment at the Antipolo Police City Jail, he rented out mobile phones to detainees for extra income.

She also alleged that he had a supposed “boss” among the inmates whom he allowed to leave detention and who allegedly gave him money and a Toyota Hi-Lux.

“Lagi niyang binibida sa akin na may boss siya na preso, nailalabas niya ‘yun, nagwi-withdraw. Tapos binibigyan din siya,” she said.

“Sinabihan ko siya na tigilan na niya ‘yun, gumagawa siya na masama, PO1 pa lang siya gano’n ‘yung ginagawa, what more pag tumaas pa? Pero hindi niya tinigilan,” she added.

The woman also linked the officer to the escape of a detainee in October 2020, saying he admitted that the inmate had collapsed and was brought to a hospital.

According to her, the officer allegedly left the detainee unattended at the hospital, claiming he was not allowed inside the restricted area during the pandemic.

She said the officer was subsequently detained in connection with the incident but was later released.

The woman also raised concerns about the officer’s alleged conduct during police examinations.

She claimed he initially pressured her to take the NAPOLCOM entrance examination herself so she could provide him with the answers.

After she refused, she said she instead gave him printed review materials.

She further alleged that during his Field Training Program (FTP), the officer photographed examination questions and sent them to her through Facebook Messenger so she could answer them.

NAPOLCOM Commissioner Ralph Calinisan immediately ordered the commission’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) to investigate the alleged examination irregularities, particularly those involving the PNP Training Service.

“Napaka-seryosong alegasyon ‘yan na pi-picturean ‘yung examination, na papadala ‘yung tanong sa ibang tao sa labas at nagbibigay ng sagot habang nage-exam,” Calinisan said.

Calinisan said NAPOLCOM had already changed all its entrance and promotional examination questions and cracked down on bogus review centers and individuals allegedly selling examination materials.

Meanwhile, the complainant said she had filed seven cases against the officer.

The officer had previously faced administrative proceedings before the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS), which initially ordered his dismissal.

However, the penalty was later reduced to a 60-day suspension following a motion for reconsideration.

“Akala ko, nakuha na namin ‘yung hustisya. Pero bigla akong naka-receive ng sulat na natanggal ‘yung dismissal [order] at napalitan ng 60-day suspension,” she said.

“Ang tagal ko nang nabubuhay sa takot. So araw-araw nalang ba kaming tatakutin? Kaya nagbaka sakali ako kay sir kasi napanood ko ‘yung mga nag-presscon rito,” she added.

Calinisan vowed to thoroughly investigate the allegations and said the commission would uphold the trust the complainant had placed in NAPOLCOM.

He also stressed that police officers must be held accountable for alleged abuses, saying their duty to serve and protect should begin with the people closest to them.

“I have no patience, zero, for people like this kasi nakakasakit kayo, nakakasira kayo ng buhay ng iba, pati ‘yung trabaho ninyo sa pagpupulis binabalasubas ninyo,” Calinisan said.

“We will make sure that police like this will be brought to justice,” he added.

Calinisan encouraged victims of abuse, particularly those involving police officers, to report their complaints to the PNP or NAPOLCOM.