Amid accusations of police brutality, policemen involved in the arrest of five persons in Jaro, Iloilo City received citations yesterday from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6).

PRO 6 regional director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr. awarded Medalya ng Kasanayan (PNP Efficiency Medal) to Chief Insp. Dande Deocampo and Senior Insp. Rene Obregon.

The two led members of the Iloilo City Police Office Anti-Illegal Gambling Task Group for last week’s arrest of Elpedio Jabat, 38; Rolly Pabillo, 42; George Bernardo, 21; Meriam Jabat, 42; and taxi driver Armando Jabat, 50, all residents of Brgy. Simon Ledesma, Jaro, Iloilo City, and who were all tagged behind the alleged “bookies” activities.

Earlier police reports said surveillance operations established that those arrested were allegedly remitting bets and cotejos at Simon Ledesma St.

Police said that prior to their arrest, Elpedio, Pabillo, Bernardo, and Meriam allegedly boarded a Melvin Taxi driven by Armando.

As police operatives were about to entrap the suspects, Armando allegedly sped off to Brgy. Ma Cristina, where they were stopped by a blocking police force.

They were reportedly ordered to go out of the taxi but one of the suspects allegedly tried to pull a firearm which prompted policemen to break the taxi’s windshield and force open the cab’s door.

According to police reports, it was during this resistance that Armando was hurt.

Senior Supt. Marietto Valerio, city police director, explained that police only applied necessary force when Armando tried to fight with policemen.

When frisked, Elpedio was allegedly yielded with three sachets of suspected shabu and a caliber .40 pistol while Armando was allegedly confiscated with six sachets of shabu, an improvised tooter and a disposable lighter.

Police said Elpedio presented a license for his gun but failed to show a permit to carry firearm outside of residence (PTCFOR).

Meriam Odicta, owner of Melvin Taxi, complained of the wounds suffered by Jabat.

In vernacular, Odicta said if her driver has done something wrong, policemen should just have arrested and filed charges against him.

She also threatened to file criminal and administrative charges against policemen involved in the operations.

Meanwhile, Cruz defended the giving of awards amid the accusations.

“We’re taking things at face value,” he said.

“They have arrested suspected criminals, that’s certain,” he added, but “we would still conduct investigation if indeed necessary force was used to subdue the suspects,” Cruz said. *