Ex-HPG chief’s son seen hitting trainee in video

MANILA, Philippines — The previously unnamed Highway Patrol Group officer seen in a viral video hitting a trainee is a son of erstwhile HPG chief Brig. Gen. Clifford Gairanod, a source said yesterday.

“Siya ‘yun (That’s him),” the security official, who spoke on the condition that he is not named, said in an interview, referring to Capt. Clifton Gairanod.

The source said the younger Gairanod hit the trainee with an open palm and not with a closed fist, noting the blow was meant to drive a pin – which indicated that the trainee graduated from a course – into the flesh of the trainee’s chest.

The source added the trainee has no intention to file a case against Gairanod.

The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has started its investigation of the incident, which occurred during the graduation rites of the Executive Motorcycle Riding Course in Sariaya, Quezon last Sunday.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia said yesterday the IAS is conducting its probe to determine the possible administrative lapses of the police officers involved in the incident.

“That matter is now being investigated thoroughly by our IAS,” Sermonia told reporters on the sidelines of his inspection of transportation hubs in Metro Manila.

Sermonia said they also tapped the PNP’s anti-scalawag unit, the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, to look into the matter.

IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo did not reply when asked for more details on the case.

The incident prompted the resignation of the elder Gairanod as HPG director after his son was included in the investigation.