DAVAO CITY , Philippines – Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of a former Davao del Sur police director accused of rape and sexual harassment by four policewomen and the wives of two police officers.
Puno, who also chairs the National Police Commission (Napolcom), reportedly met with the six alleged victims of Senior Superintendent Cesario Darantinao Jr. during a visit here last Thursday.
Chief Superintendent Pedro Tango, Southern Mindanao police director, said the preventive suspension started last Aug. 10, adding that Darantinao was placed under restrictive custody a few days after the charges were filed against him before the Napolcom and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Tango said the preventive suspension was only for one of six complaints against Darantinao with the Napolcom.
Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero said the Senate would also conduct a probe on the charges against Darantinao.
“Right now, we are having the case investigated. And within two weeks, we will work on it,” he said in a recent visit here.
However, Escudero clarified that the start of the Senate probe shall depend on the availability of the senators in the next few weeks.
Puno vowed to help the alleged victims of Darantinao. “Absolutely, we will help them. We will support these women,” he said.
Puno earlier said offenders in the police ranks would be dealt with accordingly.
“Such acts should not be tolerated. We will be the ones who will file criminal charges against the criminals within the PNP (Philippine National Police),” he said.
Darantinao was relieved from his post last July 3 after the four policewomen and the wives of two police officers filed sexual harassment complaints against him.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Davao Lady Lawyers’ Association have provided the complainants with legal assistance.
“We will pursue this case as this is an affront against our women, and particularly our policewomen who are supposed to protect our children and women and yet they cannot protect themselves from their officers like Darantinao who abuse them,” said outgoing IBP governor for Eastern Mindanao Ramon Edison Batacan.
Edilberto Fermil, Napolcom’s Southern Mindanao director, earlier said it would take at least six months for Darantinao’s case to be resolved. –Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)
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