PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Tuesday called for a thorough probe of a Pampanga policeman accused of sexually abusing a female motorcycle rider last October 8.

Calling it a ‘very serious allegation,’ the top cop said that Staff Sergeant Robin Mangaga has been disarmed and placed under restrictive custody pending the result of the investigation being conducted by the PNP Internal Affairs Service.

The PNP-IAS was ordered to expedite the conduct of the investigation on charges made by the woman that she was flagged down by the accused at a checkpoint in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Friday last week.

Police said the victim was on her way to work and was driving a motorcycle when she was stopped by the suspect at a control point on McArthur Highway, boundary of Bgys. Lakandula and Balibago in Angeles City.

The cop asked for the victim’s driver’s license but the victim failed to show any. Thinking she was already allowed to leave, the victim left the control point when a fellow motorist ran after her and told her that she needed to return to the control point. Upon return to the control point, the suspect again asked for her license and the victim pleaded not to impound her motor vehicle owned by her partner.

However, the suspect confiscated the keys of the motorcycle and went inside his car.

The victim followed the suspect to ask for forgiveness but the police officer allegedly requested a massage from the victim to which she obeyed.

The suspect allegedly took the victim to a motel and sexually abused her before returning the motorcycle keys.

Mangada surrendered and was charged with rape before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor and an administrative case was lodged against him.

“I have ordered the immediate conduct of the summary dismissal proceedings against PSsg Mangada and I can guarantee the public that we are taking swift action against erring members of our ranks. I am also appealing to everyone not to think that all men and women in uniform are like this, as there are only a few bad eggs and there are more cops willing to help and do their duties in the name of police service,” said Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director, Brigadier Gen. Valeriano T. de De Leon.

The victim said she immediately sought the assistance of her co-workers in filing a complaint against the suspect.

“Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit na sa kabila ng paulit-ulit nating babala at pagpapatupad ng reporma sa aming organisasyon, meron pa ring iilan na hayagang inaabuso ang kapangyarihan na ibinigay sa kanila ng taumbayan. But this will not discourage us in pursuing our reform program, but in fact, this serves as a motivation to continue our internal cleansing,” said Gen. Eleazar.

Gen. Eleazar said he has also ordered De Leon to provide adequate protection to the complainant and her family.

“Kapag napatunayan na ginawa nga ni Police Staff Sgt. Robin Manganga ang kahalayang ito, tinitiyak ko na matatanggal siya sa serbisyo bukod sa kasong kriminal na kanyang haharapin,” Gen. Eleazar emphasized.

The PNP chief assured the victim that they will assist her in seeking justice over the incident.

He also urged victims of abuses of some law enforcers to come forward and seek the help of authorities to make those involved accountable for their actions.

“Huwag kayong matakot na sampahan ng kaukulang reklamo ang sinumang lumabag sa batas, kabilang ang mga pulis. Nakahanda ang PNP na tumulong sa inyo upang makamit ang hustisya at panagutin sinuman ang maysala,” Gen. Eleazar said. By ALFRED DALIZON & BERNARD GALANG