MANILA, Philippines — A congressman of Iloilo and his father, a town mayor, are in hot water for allegedly beating up a police officer yesterday.
Iloilo first district Rep. Oscar Garin Jr. faces charges for physical injuries, alarm and scandal, direct assault against an agent of a person in authority and grave coercion, according to the Western Visayas police.
Garin is the husband of former health secretary Janette Garin.
Police are also preparing a complaint against the congressman’s father, Guimbal Mayor Oscar Garin for grave threat.
Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police director, said the Garins disarmed Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya while the congressman restrained the policeman using his handcuffs.
The lawmaker allegedly punched Macaya in the face and kicked his body.
“He even spat on the face of the policeman who was in uniform,” Bulalacao said in a phone interview.
He said the congressman also fired a shot in the air using the victim’s service firearm.
Bulalacao said he relieved Senior Inspector Antonio Monreal, who witnessed the incident, for failing to help another police officer.
Bulalacao said the Garins were angry at Macaya because he did not file a complaint against a 28-year-old man who reportedly assaulted another person at the plaza last Saturday.
He said the politicians were unaware that the parties in the incident have reached an amicable settlement.
Bulalacao recalled the police escorts of the Garins and requested the cancellation of the deputation of the mayor over the police following the incident.
“I told Congressman Garin that I’m taking this incident as an affront to me. I will not let this pass without taking action against them,” Bulalacao said. – With Jennifer Rendon