TWO police officers in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu were relieved after they punched two men who belong to a fraternity.
The incident was captured on a cell phone video, which went viral on social media. It happened outside the City Auditorium in Barangay Poblacion on Saturday night, Nov. 16, 2019.
Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) Director Clarito Baja issued the relief order, transferring P/SSgt. Adrian Yonting and P/CMSgt. Rodrigo Inoc of LCPO Station 3 to the headquarters for the investigation.
Baja said his personnel would be held liable if they violated their operational procedures.
The viral video shows Yonting and Inoc punching Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) members Paul Jay Pogoy and Danilo Taghoy.
According to LCPO Station 3 Chief P/Maj. Wayne Magbuana, his personnel only reacted to the Akrho members, who allegedly meddled in the police officers’ work and were reportedly drunk.
Yonting and Inoc arrived at the area after they received a report about a mauling incident. They arrested Glen Espinosa Carpentero, who allegedly mauled multicab driver Lucio Navarro.
The two police officers ordered Carpentero to lie on the ground as the latter tried to run and bite them. Around this time, Pogoy and Taghoy passed by carrying cartons containing bottled water and burger.
The Akrho members reportedly tried to question the police officers’ action. Yonting told them to go on with their business as their arrest of Carpentero was legitimate.
During the argument between the police officers and the fraternity men, Pogoy allegedly hit Yonting’s head with a carton. Inoc defended his fellow officer.
The video, captured by someone in the area, fails to capture the reason behind the incident, according to Magbanua.
Magbanua said he welcomed the relief of his personnel. Yonting and Inoc, for their part, are ready to face investigation, saying they only defended themselves.
Taghoy and Pogoy will be charged with complaints for disobedience, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, direct assault and drunkenness by Inoc and Yonting. (GCM, KAL)