Raps vs Quezon City cop in C5 traffic row junked

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City prosecutor’s office has dismissed the frustrated murder case filed by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) against a policeman who was recorded on video pushing off a motorcycle rider during a traffic altercation along C5 Road.

The QCPD initially lodged cases of slight physical injuries and malicious mischief against S/Sgt. Erwin Lagua, but changed the complaint to frustrated murder in compliance with a directive of National Police Commission executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan.

Calinisan berated Lt. Col. Edison Ouano, QCPD criminal investigation and detection unit chief, and Cpl. Benito Catungal during a press briefing last week where he accused the officials of filing a complaint that he said was a “wrongful and deliberate downgrade” of the case.

Calinisan also ordered the QCPD to relieve Ouano and Catungal from their posts and directed the Napolcom's inspection, monitoring and investigation service to investigate the two officials.

The Pasig prosecutor’s office, however, junked the complaint for frustrated murder, which the QCPD filed upon Calinisan’s order.

“The complaint for frustrated murder and malicious mischief must be dismissed for insufficiency of evidence,” the Pasig prosecutor’s office stated in a resolution issued on May 15 and made public yesterday.

The city prosecutor’s office said Lagua could not be charged with malicious mischief as he only pushed the motorcycle of the complainant, Jhone Vincent Cayanes, after the victim chased the policeman for a confrontation.