SAN JACINTO, Pangasinan, Philippines — A police officer has been relieved from his post after a video showing him punching and slapping curfew violators went viral.
Col. Redrico Maranan, Pangasinan police director, relieved S/Sgt. Michael Abauag on Tuesday, two days after the incident.
Capt. Oliver Baniqued, town police chief, was relieved based on the doctrine of command responsibility.
Maranan said investigation showed barangay officials sought police assistance when the suspects, who were caught drinking liquor along a street, resisted arrest.
Abauag reportedly punched the suspects when they were brought at the police station.
Maranan said an inquiry is ongoing to determine if there was failure of leadership on the part of Baniqued.
Philippine National Police deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar had earlier said there would be no arrest and physical punishment for curfew violators while the enhanced community quarantine is being implemented.
Eleazar said violators would face charges once the quarantine is lifted.