Cops who used child in robbery charged

A criminal complaint was filed yesterday before the Department of Justice (DoJ) against 15 policemen who allegedly used a minor in looting a house in Caloocan City.

The case was filed by 51-year-old complainant Gina Erobas concerning the incident which took place last Sept. 7 at her home in Barrio Sta. Rita, Barangay 188, Caloocan City.

Respondents in the case are members of Caloocan City Police Community Precinct (PCP) 4. They are Chief Inspector Timothy Aniway Jr., Senior Inspector Warren Peralta, and Police Officers 1 (PO1s) Sherwin Riera, Louie Serrano, Marvin Poblete, Jay Gabanata, Jaime Natividad, Jaypee Tulay, Ariel Furio, Rohelio Julaton, Joel Leaban, Rene Llanto, Michael Miguel, Francis Ruiz Quidic, and Jay-R Sabangan.

They were charged with robbery, trespass to dwelling, violation of domicile, and violating Sections 10(a) and 10(c)(3) of Republic Act 7610, the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

Two other unidentified respondents were included in the complaint.

Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Supt. Amando Clifton Empiso had ordered the relief of the 13 PO1s after learning of the incident.

Empiso acted on the complaint of the businesswoman who brought footage of her closed circuit television (CCTV) camera showing what the policemen did inside her house.

The footage showed the policemen barged into her house on Sept. 7 around 9 p.m. and even used a bolt cutter to open the gate.

A child, who was with the policemen, was seen taking two watches and a phone. The victim said the cash amounting to around ₱30,000 was also missing.