Pineda's relatives eye sanction vs. officer who denied victim's police escort request

The family of slain 15-year-old Fabel Pineda, who got killed after filling a complaint for acts of lasciviousness against police officers in Ilocos Sur, called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to sanction the Cabugao Municipal Police Station women’s desk officer for allegedly denying the victim’s request for a police escort.

According to a report on Stand for Truth on Thursday, Pineda and her 18-year-old cousin were arrested last June 27 for violating curfew and were allegedly drunk when cops took advantage of them.

“Diniretso sila doon sa tabing-dagat… Kung sakali raw po na magsumbong sila sa mga magulang nila, alam na raw po kung anong mangyayari,” one of Pineda’s relatives said.

On June 28, Pineda filed a complaint at the Cabugao MPS against Police Staff Sergeants Marawi Torda and Randy Ramos of the San Juan MPS for alleged acts of lasciviousness, while rape charges were also filed against Ramos by the victim’s 18-year-old cousin.

Pineda’s kin said their complaint, which could have been done in a day, reached five days before it was filed.

“Hindi rin nagtagal, mga bandang alas diyes ‘yon, nakarating kami sa PNP, doon na ako nagreklamo… Ilang beses kami pabalik-balik dahil hindi nga natapos-tapos,” she said.

On July 2, Pineda requested for a security escort to accompany her and her family home because they feel someone is watching them. However, it was allegedly denied by women’s desk officer Police Staff Sergeant Merly Joy Pascua. Pineda was gunned down later.

“Noong second day ng araw ng pagba-blotter, doon ako nagsabi na parang may nagmamanman sa amin pero wala siyang ginawa na suporta sa amin sa sinabi kong ‘yon,” Pineda’s relative said.

“Ang sabi niya sa akin, ‘Hindi naman puwede na kayo lang ang binabantayan. Alangan naman na babantayan kayo namin. Kayo na lang ‘yong babantayan namin.’ ‘Yon talaga ang sabi niya,” she said.

“Siya ‘yong dahilan kung bakit nabaril ang pamangkin ko. Kung hindi niya sana dinelay-delay, kung natapos sana ng isang araw pagka-blotter, hindi siguro nangyari ‘yon,” she added.

GMA News already reached out to Pascua for comment but she has yet to respond as of posting time.

“Sinasabi nila to serve and to protect eh dapat sana alam na nila kung ano'ng gagawin nila, kung paano poprotektahan sila. Alam na nila na ganoon ang nangyari, bakit pinabayaan pa nila? Bakit hindi binigyan ng proteksyon ang mga batang ‘yon?” Mauricio Sinco Jr., Pineda’s uncle, said.

The Cabugao PNP said Pascua was already relieved from her post and was transferred to the Ilocos Sur Provincial Police Office.

Meanwhile, the PNP said murder charges were already filed before the Provincial Prosecutor of Ilocos Sur against Torda and Ramos.

The two suspects are now under restrictive custody at the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office in Bantay town while awaiting further disposition.

PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa earlier said he has directed the Internal Affairs Service to immediately dismiss from service the two cops involved in Pineda’s killing.

Gamboa also ordered Police Regional Office 1 to provide security to the 18-year-old victim and her family and ensure the availability of all PNP prosecution witnesses in court proceedings to expedite the trial as well as administrative procedures.

Moreover, the Commission on Human Rights said Pineda’s death was also due to the Cabugao PNP’s shortcomings.

“Dito sa kasong ito, nakaka-worry na it took them several days. Pinabalik-balik sila for a simple blotter. Ang police blotter very easy to do. It will not take more than an hour. Doon naman sa paghingi ng tulong, dapat in-evaluate nila kung may sufficient basis at kung nakita nga nila na mayroon talagang basis, dapat nagbigay talaga sila ng proteksyon,” CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia said.

‘Yon ‘yong nagpalala dito sa insidenteng ito, ‘yong hindi pagbigay ng tulong agad, ‘yong pagdelay ng tulong kasi nga ang taas ng tiwala ng publiko na poprotektahan sila, na tutulungan sila ng mga puis,” she added. 

Despite the police being the subject of a complaint, De Guia said the victim should have still been assisted.

“Kapag ang isang alleged perpetrator ay isang pulis din, ano, kinakailangan according na rin sa kanilang PNP manual of operations ay dapat ma-relieve sila sa post nila para sila ay hindi maka-impluwensiya doon sa isasagawang imbestigasyon at ‘yon naman ang ginagawa agad ng PNP,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pineda’s family is seeking justice for the teenager and her cousin.

“Mayroon kaming pinaninindigan na prinsipyo sa buhay. Humihingi po kami ng hustisya na mabigyan po silang lahat ng parusa laban sa kanila, sa lahat ng mga koneksyon nila,” Sinco said.  -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News