CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — The woman who accused three police officers of the Meycauayan City Police Station of raping her alternately during an anti-illegal drugs operation last March 6, has decided not to pursue the case.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Friday afternoon that the 29-year-old woman sent a text message to an officer of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Bulacan Police, saying she is withdrawing her complaint against the police officers.
Despite the message of withdrawal, dela Rosa still ordered the Provincial Internal Affairs Service in Bulacan, under lawyer Cristina T. Alcantara, to pursue the investigation.
In a press conference held at Camp General Alejo Santos here Friday afternoon, dela Rosa said if the victim is afraid to file the case with the Bulacan Police, he is encouraging her to go to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or directly to his office in Camp Crame where she will be entertained.
The woman claimed that she was gang-raped by the apprehending police team under the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit of the Meycauayan City Police.
The PNP chief assured that he would not tolerate it if the allegation against PO2 Jefferson Landrito, and PO1s Marlo delos Santos and Jeremy Aquino are proven true.
He, however, said that in case the rape allegation is not true, he will encourage the three accused police officers to file counter charges to clear their names and reputation.
As a standard procedure, the three policemen were immediately relieved and re-assigned to the Provincial Holding Admin Unit of the Bulacan Police, pending investigation of the case.
Alcantara said that even if the complainant withdraws the case, they will still conduct their own and separate investigation for the administrative case.
“It’s our mandate, whether there is a complaint or none, the case against the policemen will be pursued and if the victim would continue not to cooperate in this case for the investigation we will conduct, we would be forced to drop and dismiss the case in the end,” she said.
Meanwhile, Landrito, one of the accused, sought a public apology from the complainant for what she had done to them and to their families. (Manny Balbin/PNA)
