A POLICE officer was allegedly mauled in Dolores town in Abra Province after reminding a councilor of the curfew.
In a report from the Abra Provincial Police Office (Appo), Councilor Russ Zapata, along with his companions, allegedly attacked Patrolman Lowie Gie Itchon and took away his firearm after the latter reminded them of curfew hours.
In the evening of January 1, Patrolwoman Phoebe Chumanao was driving her motorcycle along Poblacion, Dolores when she heard somebody shouting, prompting her to return. Chumanao then saw two males, including Zapata.
Chumanao reminded them of the curfew hours being observed in the province, which is from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., but Zapata instead allegedly challenged Chumanao.
Later that evening, Itchon and Chumanao, while conducting mobile patrol, saw the group of Zapata at a panciteria and again reminded them of the curfew hours.
Instead of going home, Zapata allegedly attacked Itchon and with the aid of his companions, held his two arms tightly and punched him in the face and other parts of his body.
Itchon's gun was also allegedly forcibly taken by another companion of the official.
Itchon sustained scratches on his eyebrow, had swollen cheek and chest pains.
Police Brigadier General R'win Pagkalinawan, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Cordillera, condemned the act.
"We will not allow these things to happen, especially to our personnel who are working hard to keep our community safe," Pagkalinawan said.
Pagkalinawan also ordered the Abra PPO to conduct an impartial investigation and tapped the Legal Service of PRO-Cordillera to provide legal assistance for the filing of appropriate charges against Zapata and his companions.