PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said on Thursday, June 20 that the PNP will provide legal assistance to the lady officer who was verbally and physically assaulted by relieved Eastern Police District (EPD) director Christopher Tambungan.
Albayalde said the PNP will give Corporal April Santiago a legal counsel should she wish to pursue criminal charges against Tambungan.
“Merong kaming mga legal assistance program at meron kaming legal service na puwedeng magbigay ng counsel doon sa policewoman or even she can get her own lawyer, depende sa kanya yun but then again sa amin kahit hindi ituloy yung criminal case the administrative case will continue,” Albayalde said.
Tambungan, who was relieved to pave the way for an impartial investigation on the alleged assault, will face administrative charges.
He may also be charged with violence against women and children (VAWC).
On May 12, 2019, Tambungan confronted Santiago over the latter's alleged failure to undertake a task. Aside from verbally assaulting Santiago, Tambungan also struck her on the head and hit her with his car door.
“Meron kaming regulation dyan na of course hindi mo basta basta puwedeng saktan yung isang pulis whether babae or lalaki man. There are several ways kung talagang meron pagkakamali ‘yung pulis we can charge them administratively kung meron pagkukulang. We don't have to manhandle them,” said Albayalde.
Albayalde said it was not the first time that they received complaints over the behavior of Tambungan, whom he described as a very strict police official.
“Well apparently hindi lang pala yun ang unang insidente. I learned just now this morning na meron pa palang nag complain sa kanya na dalawang mga graduates doon sa Ombudsman na ganun din ang nangyari na medyo nagalit yata at hindi na-control ‘yung kanyang galit at na manhandle nya itong dalawa at ito naman very unfortunate babae pa itong na-manhandle nya,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)