Police rap officer over rookie’s rape

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

POLICE yesterday pressed charges against one of their own for allegedly raping a young officer in Gusa on Sunday.

The complaint was filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office after Northern Mindanao police director Lyndel Desquitado ordered a no-nonsense investigation into the alleged rape of the policewoman by her superior at the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB).

Supt. Gervacio Balmaceda, Camp Alagar spokesman, said Chief Supt. Desquitado ordered RPSB director Senior Supt. Archival Macala and the Agora police to speed up their investigation into the complaint of the police officer who claimed she was sexually abused in the wee hours of Sunday, after a Christmas party.

Camp Alagar identified the suspect as Insp. Harmon Rufin Bagtila, a junior officer from Benguet who serves as a RPSB team leader. The 26-year old police official is a product of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

Bagtila was disarmed by fellow officers after the 28-year old policewoman complained, and was taken to the Agora police where he was placed under detention.

Balmaceda said it was Desquitado who ordered Agora police commander Insp. Ariel Philip Pontillas to speed up the investigation, and to immediately file the criminal complaint against Bagtila.

He said Desquitado also ordered Macala to fasttrack the RPSB’s own investigation into the Sunday incident, and to file an administrative complaint against Bagtila.

Balmaceda said the alleged rape took place after midnight Sunday following the Saturday Christmas party of police officers at the RSPB in Gusa.

The alleged victim, who holds the rank of Police Officer 1, has had a drink too many when the suspect allegedly took advantage of her, said Balmaceda.

He said the alleged victim was brought by members of her family to their hometown in Bukidnon.