10 maritime cops in custody as persons of interest in Navotas teen’s beating

Ten members of the Maritime Police in Navotas, including a police major, are now in restrictive custody of the Navotas Police over an attack on a teenager that left him bruised and wounded.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras" on Monday, the 10 are considered persons of interest in the incident where, according to the 15-year-old victim's mother, the boy was struck, kicked, and hit with a heavy blunt object by Maritime Group (MG) members last Friday, August 25.

The victim was brought to a nearby hospital, and then was accompanied by the Navotas Police to the Maritime Police to identify the perpetrators, but the victim said none was present during the visit.

Following the statement, the mother then said she would no longer be filing a case. GMA Integrated News has reached out to the family for comment on the matter, but they declined.

"It’s a fact now na merong nanakit sa kanya. 'Yun ang gusto nating malaman ngayon kung sino among the reported na mga tao ng MG ang may kagagawan nito," said Northern Police District chief Police Brigadier General Rizalito Gapas, who went to the maritime police station himself to learn more about the incident. 

(It's a fact now that somebody hurt him. That is what we want to know: who among the reported people of the MG did this.)

Northern NCR Maritime Police chief Police Major Randy Ludovice said that the 10 are now required to explain the incident. "Mag-e-explain sila within 24 hours...we only learned only kahapon kasi hindi nakarating, hindi gumawa ng report papunta sa amin," he said.

(They must explain within 24 hours...we only learned [of this] yesterday because nobody made a report to us.)

Investigation shows that the boy may have been stopped by the maritime police over the suspected theft of a cellphone. However, said Gapas, "Kahit pa siya ang kumuha o hindi, ang issue dito ay 'yung sinaktan 'yung bata."

(Whether he took it or not, the issue is the child was hurt.)

The 10 maritime police officers have given their statements to the Navotas Police's Women and Children's Desk.

"This investigation would include possible criminal or administrative charges pag na-establish natin [when we establish the case]," said Gapas.

The Navotas City Police also hope that the victim will come forward and speak with them.

"[Barangay] chairman mismo kinausap na rin namin. He assured us gagalugarin din 'yung area ng fish port para makita ang ating biktima," said Navotas police chief Colonel Mario Cortes.

(We spoke to the chairman. He assured us that they will comb the fish port area to find the victim.)

The city police said that there will be no cover-up and that they will seek justice for the victim even if he and his family do not want to come forward. — BM, GMA Integrated News