Police officers march at the Philippine National Police grounds in Camp Crame in Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NI脩O JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Ilocos police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a 聽wherein Pasuquin policemen were seen engaging in 鈥渁cts of violence鈥� by hitting civilians who were reportedly trying to report an incident at the municipal police station.
Ilocos Region Police Director Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista said he had already ordered the immediate validation and investigation of the case.
鈥淎ny violation of the PNP (Philippine National Police) rules and standards committed by police officers, once proven, will be addressed with utmost seriousness,鈥� Evangelista disclosed in a statement on Monday.
鈥淔or now, we urge the public to remain calm and allow an impartial investigation of the incident. Rest assured that the PNP will remain committed to ensuring transparency throughout the process and will provide updates of the case as development arises,鈥� he added.
In a Facebook post on Monday morning, user 鈥淪tep Ha Nie鈥� claimed that her stepfather was 鈥渂rutally attacked鈥� after reporting an incident to Pasuquin Municipal Police Station.
鈥淚nstead of listening to their concerns, the police attacked them out of nowhere. They began kicking my stepfather, who had already sustained injuries from the earlier attack. Not only that, but they also attacked those trying to intervene,鈥� the post reads.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 more disappointing is that they pointed a gun at a minor who was simply trying to tell his father not to fight back. Afterward, they detained their companions, including a 14-year-old minor, without a valid reason or warrant,鈥� it adds.
Attached with the post is a video showing three police personnel attacking the alleged complainants. Even the person holding the camera was later collared by one of the policemen, as seen in the video.