Cops in 'torture video' attend first hearing

MANILA, Philippines - Two police officers who went into hiding after being implicated in the torture of a prisoner at the Asuncion police community precinct in Tondo, Manila attended yesterday the first hearing of their court case.

Senior Police Officer 1 Rodolfo Ong and PO2 Rex Binayug surrendered to Manila City Jail warden Superintendent Ruel Rivera last April 11 after hiding for several months. Both policemen said they wanted to clear their name.

Ong and Binayug were accused of violating the Anti-torture Act of 2009, along with the former chief of the precinct, Inspector Joselito Binayug, who is still at large.