malaysiangMALASIQUI: The officer in charge of San Manuel Police Station in Pangasinan and three other officers have been relieved from their posts as an investigation into the alleged torture of a drug suspect is ongoing.
In a phone interview on Wednesday, Pangasinan Provincial Police Office information officer Capt. Renan dela Cruz said the order to relieve the four police personnel including Maj. Ronnie Maramba, the officer in charge of San Manuel Police Station, was given on Tuesday.
He said the police officers were not suspended but were just relieved pending the results of the investigation, and are now assigned at Camp Antonio Sison in Lingayen town, Pangasinan.
The Pangasinan PPO vehemently denied the alleged torture of drug suspect Edilberto Sumajit, arrested on August 5.
Based on a video posted on social media by the suspect’s sister, Princess Warlyn Sumajit, the suspect claimed of being weak, dizzy, and nauseated due to alleged torture while in detention.
‘The allegations of torture against personnel of
San Manuel Police Station are vehemently denied. Medical certificates indicate that only minor abrasions from resisting arrest were observed by the attending physician. To ensure truth, fairness, and impartiality, the concerned Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel have been administratively relieved from their posts and reassigned pending an impartial investigation. If evidence warrants, appropriate criminal and/or administrative charges will be filed against the involved officers,’ the Pangasinan PPO stated.
Dela Cruz said a brief scuffle transpired when policemen arrested Sumajit, resulting in minor injuries to both the suspect and one of the arresting officers.
He said the suspect was then brought to the Rural Health Unit of San Manuel for the mandatory medical examination of arrested suspects but was taken back to the health facility in the early morning of Wednesday following his complaints for medical attention.
According to the police, Sumajit was a drug personality who served his probation la
st 2014 in San Manuel Pangasinan and is currently facing charges of attempted murder, related to a shooting incident on July 18, 2024, in San Manuel, Pangasinan.
The suspect also tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride in his urine sample based on the test conducted by the Provincial Forensic Unit, the police added.
Source: Philippines News Agency
