TWO police colonels are facing administrative charges in connection with the assault of a policeman who ended up losing one of his eyes in a police camp in Legazpi City Albay last month.
In a press briefing yesterday at Camp Crame, PNP chief Dionardo Carlos said charges will be pursued against the two officers based on the recommendation of Bicol Regional Police Director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.
Facing administrative charges are Col. Dulnoan Dinamling Jr., chief of the PNP Aviation Security Group-Bicol, and Col. Clarence Gomeyac, chief of the Regional Mobile Forces Battalion (RMFB) 5. The two have been relieved from their posts.
Dinamling also faces criminal charges for assaulting one of Gomeyac’s men, M/Sgt. Ricky Brabante, last November 12 at Camp Ola, home to the RMFB 5.
Dinamling was at the camp to attend the birthday party of Gomeyac, his classmate at the PNP Academy class 1998.
Brabante was taking a walk inside the camp at around 1 a.m. to keep himself awake because he was tasked to clean up after the birthday party.
While taking a walk, Brabante saw a group of policemen on formation and told them to go to the nearest tent since it was raining.
Unfortunately, Brabante did not notice that Dinamling, reportedly drunk, was talking to the policemen.
After recognizing the police official, Brabante tried to walk away but was chased by Dinamling, who allegedly assaulted and hit him with a broken glass in his left eye, which the victim eventually lost.
“There is already a recommendation (against Dinampling). Number one, the criminal case will continue and then the admin case will continue. He will face summary dismissal proceedings,” said Carlos.
He said Gomeyac will also be held accountable for authorizing drinking inside the camp and for not ordering the arrest of Dinamling immediately after the incident.
“The commander of the RMFB 5, where the incident happened, we are making him answerable also…The commander of the RMFB 5 will also be charged administratively for allowing the drinking inside his premises,” he said.
Asked why Gomeyac did not immediately put Dinamling under arrest, Carlos said: “That is one of the reasons why he will be held accountable, why we will charge him. “How come that person (Dinamling) was not immediately arrested for the offense or after the act was committed at that particular time.”
