By: Jennifer P. Rendon
FROM complainant to defendant.
The controversial policeman that catapulted then Congressman Oscar “Richard” Garin, Jr. and his father Mayor Oscar Garin Sr. to public ridicule is now at the receiving end of a complaint lodged by his neighbor.
Police Master Sergeant Federico Macaya Jr. was accused of kicking his neighbor’s fence at Barangay Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City.
Pio Roy Conde, 26, claimed that Macaya destroyed their fence after he had an altercation with the cop’s wife.
Macaya then told him “May adlaw ka gid (You will have your day).”
But Macaya denied Conde’s allegations against him.
He claimed that he tried to talk to Conde.
Macaya said he looked for Conde by peeping through the fence. He accidentally leaned on the already dilapidated fence, the reason why a portion was destroyed.
But he admitted to have told Conde “May adlaw ka gid” but he only meant never to help the latter in future problems.
Macaya said he is willing to face the accusations against him at the proper forum.
THE CAUSE
Macaya’s wife Lourdes explained that she asked Conde to prevent dirty water from his chicken pens from flowing into their yard.
But Conde allegedly did not heed her request which led to the altercation.
Lourdes then called her husband at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Headquarters in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Meanwhile, Macaya admitted that they have been at odds with the Condes for several years already.
Conde’s grandfather, Celso, was a retired policeman.
Aside from the issue of waste water flowing into their property, Macaya also complained of their neighbor’s “noisy” pet dogs.
MACAYA AS COMPLAINANT
Macaya hogged the limelight after he accused the Garins of mauling him.
He subsequently filed a string of criminal and administrative charges against ex-Cong. Garin and Mayor Garin for direct assault, grave coercion, grave threats, physical injuries, slander by deeds, serious illegal detention, and alarm and scandal.
For administrative cases, the Garins and their two unidentified aides were charged for grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming, oppression and abuse of authority, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the public, and other violations that may be deemed necessary.
The cases were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) – Regional Office VI on Dec. 27, 2017, a day after Richard allegedly manhandled Macaya, then an investigator of Guimbal Police Station.
MAULING INCIDENT
The Garins were accused of manhandling Macaya early morning of Dec. 26, 2018 at the town plaza of Guimbal, Iloilo.
Around 3:30 a.m., Richard allegedly summoned Macaya through the latter’s direct superior, Senior Inspector Antonio Monreal, Jr.
Macaya, Monreal, and Richard met inside the foodcourt just after the dance sports competition held at the plaza.
Also present were Garin Sr., Richard’s father, and some civilian security personnel.
Richard allegedly requested Captain Antonio Monreal, Jr. to disarm Macaya.
As soon as Monreal took Macaya’s firearm, Richard allegedly pulled his uniform and his handcuff and manhandled the cop.
Richard Garin made a public apology following the incident. But it did not stop there.
As a consequence, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered the cancellation of all Permits to Carry Firearms outside of Residence (PTCFOR) and License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) issued by the PNP to the Garins.
