CEBU, Philippines — A policeman in Cebu City was relieved from his post after he allegedly made a 15-year-old resident of Barangay Tisa, Cebu City do some push-ups for violating quarantine protocols.
The incident reportedly happened on Monday, July 13, 2020.
The boy, according to a post on social media, had just underwent surgery in his finger. A video of the boy sitting on a chair unconscious was posted on a Facebook page with a narrative from his cousin.
The cousin said the minor went out to get food from his grandmother’s room, which is located at the back of their house, when a policeman on patrol approached him. He was reportedly picked up immediately.
"Dayun sir gipa push-up siya nya gi bunalan gipa tukod sa ang ulo nya ni ana ang pulis sir damayon daw niya akung pamilya nahibong akong pamilya, ni tago diritso ako ig-agaw nakuyapan dayon nawagtangan ug ginhawa, ni violet maayo nya 15 anyos paman ni siya sir nya ang gatagay nuon sir wala hilabti ako na nuon ig agaw ila gi dakop," the cousin said.
(He was made to do push-ups with his head touching the ground and was hit. The police said he will include my family. My cousin went away to hide and he lost consciousness. He turned purple. He is just 15 years old and the police did not even arrest those who are drinking in public.)
No video of the actual push-up was posted because the police reportedly ordered to stop the recording, the cousin said.
Police Captain Jonathan Dela Cerna of the Labangon Police, which has jurisdiction over Barangay Tisa, said the cop was relieved from his post while the incident is being investigated.
The cop reportedly said the minor volunteered to do the push-ups.
Quoting the cop, Dela Cerna said there were actually three people who violated health protocols – the minor and his aunt and uncle.
"Sa side sa police, sa iyang version, nangutana ko, nga katong tulo daw naka-violate to silang tulo, kauban atong minor ug katong iyang uyoan ug iyang iyahan nya ang isa gani, na-book gani, kay wala ga observe sa face mask ug social distancing," Dela Cerna said.
(On the part of the police, he said the three violated, and one of them was even booked for not wearing a mask and failing to observe social distancing.)
"Nya after kuno ato, gipatawag kuno niya ang minor para kunsoltahon kay naka-violate lagi, mao tong pag-adto, iya kuno gi-advisan, nangayo kuno ug pasaylo… maoy version sa police ha… nya voluntary ni push-up," he added.
(The cop said he called the minor to talk to him because he violated protocol and the minor reportedly said sorry and did the push-up voluntarily.)
Dela Cerna said the cops were reminded during deployment briefing that enforcing punishment on violators in any form is discouraged.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro himself said cops should not punish violators but, instead, file cases against them directly. JMO (FREEMAN)