NATIONAL Capital Region Police Director Guillermo Eleazar said Friday, July 6, that the supposed “strip search” that went viral online is still not acceptable despite police claims that it was just a demo and that the woman was paid.
"Mali po talaga 'yun. Kung sakali man na meron mga demo, 'di naman ko kailangang hubuan po na ganon... Napakahalay nun (That was really wrong. If it's only a demo, there's no need to strip the woman... That's unacceptable)," he said.
The video showed a naked woman bending over to the police as she undergoes search, while cops, including a policewoman, was seen laughing.
It was reportedly taken on March 2017 at Makati police station.
The Makati police said though that the strip search of the woman, who is a guest relations officer, was conducted during a live demonstration seminar and that she was paid for it.
It said the woman was not a drug suspect as earlier reported.
The woman, who refused to be named, said she was indeed paid to do the demonstration, but she was not aware that it was filmed.
She said she will file charges against the person who took the video.
Eleazar refused to accept the police's explanation.
"Dini-degrade natin 'tong dignity ng ating kababaihan (We are degrading the women's dignity)," he said, adding "whether drug suspect or not, hindi po dapat gawin 'yun."
On July 5, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar ALbayalde ordered the relief of four cops involved in the strip search.
Relieved were Senior Inspector Valmark Funelas, Police Officer (PO) 1 Stephanie Limhap, PO1 Heizelle Maramag, and PO1 Francis Intia.
Albayalde said instructing a detainee to strip and pose while it is being recorded on camera is not included in the standard police operational procedure. (SunStar Philippines)