MANILA, Philippines - Two police officers in Mandaluyong City were removed from their posts and will be immediately sent to Marawi City after they were caught on video beating two men for violating a city ordinance, officials said yesterday.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa personally went to the Mandaluyong City police headquarters on Wednesday to confront Police Officers 1 Jose Tandog and Chito Enriquez of the community precinct 2.
Dela Rosa waited at the headquarters for 15 minutes but the two lawmen were not available.
The PNP chief wants Tandog and Enriquez sent to Marawi City, the site of clashes between government troops and members of the Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said in press briefing in Camp Crame yesterday.
“We will make sure he answers first the administrative charges against him. The intention of the PNP chief is to deploy him to Marawi,” he said.
Carlos said Dela Rosa was livid after seeing the viral video and had gone to the Mandaluyong police to confront the two police officers.
Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula disarmed the two police officers and took their badges after city police chief Senior Superintendent Joaquin Alva ordered the two to appear at the police headquarters.
Sapitula said Tandog and Enriquez were transferred to the regional police holding and administrative unit of the National Capital Region Police Office. He added that he would refer the case to the PNP Internal Affairs Service.
In his report to Alva, precinct commander Inspector Florante Ubina said the assault took place in Barangay Hulo on Tuesday night.
Tandog and Enriquez, along with village watchmen, were on patrol when they caught Mac Glen Villanueva and Marvin Pablo Calda drinking outside their house, a violation of a local ordinance prohibiting drinking in a public place past curfew.
According to reports reaching Sapitula, Calda shouted invectives at the police officers and demanded to see a copy of the ordinance.
Calda and Villanueva agreed to be brought to the barangay hall but while in the patrol car, allegedly tried to strangle Tandog, who was in the front passenger seat.
At the barangay hall, Calda allegedly slapped Tandog, prompting the lawman to hit him with a yantok stick.
Sapitula said Enriquez “claimed he was surprised by Tandog’s actions” and was unable to move.
Carlos said while the two civilians were disrespectful and resisted arrest, Tandog should not have resorted to violence.
Commission on Human Rights spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said the commission will conduct its own investigation of the incident. – With Non Alquitran, Janvic Mateo