By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The chief of police of Marikina City has been relieved from his post amid the investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a female cop by two of her colleagues.
In a press briefing on Monday, Eastern Police District (EPD) director Brig. Gen. Aden Lagradante said the investigation will determine if the relieved official, Col. Geoffrey Fernandez, was remiss in his duties as city police chief.
“We administratively relieved the chief of police of Marikina for the pending investigation. When we say he is under investigation, we’ll investigate if the chief of police is remiss in his function or of his duties in overseeing his personnel,” Lagradante said.
Lagradante said the substation commander of the two accused police officers was also removed from post.
The investigation, according to Lagradante, will be “extensive” and will cover the suspects’ colleagues, team leaders, chief supervisor, sector commander, station commander, and even the Women and Children Protection Desk.
“Tinitignan natin doon if may mga deficiency in terms of how they manage ‘yung team nila (We are looking into possible deficiencies in how they manage their team),” the EPD chief said.
According to reports, the suspects — a patrolman and a staff sergeant — allegedly picked up the victim on August 17 while she was on duty and invited her for coffee.
She was then allegedly molested inside a police mobile along a jogging lane in the city.
The two suspects are now confined at the EPD Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) and will be facing administrative charges, as well as acts of lasciviousness and violation of Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law.
The victim, meanwhile, was provided with professional counseling and debriefing. (PNA)
