Probe of cop involved in Brabante assault ongoing, officials say

Police officials said they are pursuing the investigation against the ranking aviation officer who attacked Master Sergeant Ricky Brabante in Bicol that caused him to lose his eye.

In a radio interview on Tuesday, PNP Bicol spokesperson Police Major Malou Calubaquib said the probe on Police Colonel Dulnoan Dinamling Jr. is ongoing after he allegedly hit Brabante, who is now blind in one eye, with a broken glass during a birthday celebration of a police official at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi, Albay on November 12.

Citing initial investigation, Calubaquib said that Brabante asked a group of junior policemen to take shelter after noticing them in formation under the rain. At the time, Brabante was unaware that Dinamling, who was reportedly drunk, was talking with the group. 

Shortly after, Dinamling allegedly hit Brabante.

In his talk with the suspect, PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said  Dinamling admitted having a low alcohol tolerance.

“I reminded him just accept kung ano man ‘yung magiging result or consequences of his action but I also told him he should immediately recover from that. Bangon agad, tanggapin na nagkamali ka at kung sa tingin mo nagkamali ka, pagsisihihan mo and then take the consequences but huwag nakadapa. Tayo rin kaagad, ipakita mo na mahaba pa ‘yung serbisyo mo,” he said.

(I reminded him to just accept the result or consequences of his action, but also immediately recover after that. Admit that you made a mistake, reconcile, then rise again. Show them that you can still serve for long.)

PNP Bicol Regional Director Police Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo formed the “Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Brabante” to lead the investigation of this case. They are also to investigate other policemen present during the incident.

He also tasked the director of the Aviation Security Group to remove Dinamling from his position. The host of the party, Battalion Commander Colonel  Clarence Gomeyac of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) where Brabante belonged, was also relieved from his position.

“Hindi pahihintulutan ng pamunuan ng PNP Bicol ang pananamtala sa pagamit ng posisyon at pagamit ng dahas sa hanay nito. Mananatiling pantay at patas ang pagdinig sa usaping ito. Makakaasa ang lahat sa maagap at agarang pag-aksyon upang maresolba ang isyu,” said Estomo in a statement.

(The PNP Bicol does not tolerate abuse of power and use of force in its range. The investigation in this case will remain fair and just. Rest assured that there will be a prompt and immediate action to resolve this issue.)

Carlos also visited Brabante on Sunday and told him that they would investigate the incident and offered him assistance throughout his recovery.

“I assured him na yung investigation will roll and then mananagot yung nagkasala na senior officer. So after that, nagbigay lang ako ng word of encouragement to the PRO 5. Ni-remind ko sila on how we can...maiwasan ‘yung mga ganitong problema,” he said.

(I assured him that the investigation will roll and the senior officer will be punished accordingly. After that, I gave words of encouragement to the PRO 5, reminding them of how we could avoid this kind of problem.)

Asked if Brabante can still continue to work, Calubaquib said that he can only do admin work and not join outside operations anymore due to his condition.

“Administrative, pwede naman siyang mag-trabaho. Sa admin. Although dati warrior siya, pero hindi na natin siya pwedeng isama sa mga operations sa labas dahil nga isa na lang ang kaniyang gagamiting mata. So definitely, sa computer na lang siya mage-encode or sa office na lang po siya magwo-work,” she said.

(He can still work in the administrative. Before, he was a warrior but now we cannot let him join the police operations outside because he now only has an eye. Definitely, he can work on a computer to encode or in the office.) — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA News