NAPOLCOM probes MPD cop over rape complaint

A woman assisted by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) has filed a complaint before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) against a police officer from the Manila Police District (MPD) who allegedly raped her.

At a press conference on Tuesday, NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the officer could be held administratively liable for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

“Yung isang pulis natin na-involve sa panggagahasa, which is terrible. So, aalamin natin. We will get to the bottom of it. Hindi natin papayagan na isang pulis natin ay manggagahasa,” Calinisan said.

“This is a grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. At ang parusa dito ay maaaring suspension, demotion, o di kaya dismissal from the police service,” he added.

The complainant, identified as “Anna” — not her real name — claimed in her sworn complaint that the officer sexually assaulted her after she lost consciousness during a night out in Quezon City.

She said she agreed to go out with Joshua Semilla Mendoza to help her reconcile with her husband. They reportedly visited several establishments along Tomas Morato Avenue, accompanied by other individuals, including another police officer, a barangay official, and another woman.

According to her account, after consuming her last drink, she suddenly lost consciousness and later suspected that her drink may have been laced with a drug.

She said she later regained consciousness inside a motel while being sexually assaulted by the policeman, prompting him to stop.

The MPD and Mendoza have yet to issue a statement on the allegations. Calinisan said the implicated police officer has gone absent without official leave (AWOL).

Meanwhile, VACC President Boy Evangelista said the organization decided to assist the victim after evaluating available evidence, including closed-circuit television footage that he said strongly supports her claims.

“This is a VACC-assisted case at hanggang dulo po. Tutulungan namin ito hanggang sa paghanap ng hard pieces of evidence for the case build-up for a reasonable certainty of conviction up to jail term. Ang VACC po magbabantay, magbibigay ng volunteer lawyer with our partners. Magtutulungan po kami para makakuha finally ng hustisya to send a very strong message sa mga members ng kapulisan na yung certainty of conviction, arrest, conviction, at dismissal, may paglalagyan kayo,” Evangelista said.