AN OFF-DUTY police officer, allegedly intoxicated, has been arrested for reportedly accosting three teenagers swimming at a Lapu-Lapu City beach resort.
The incident occurred at Uncle Mike Beach Resort in Barangay Marigondon around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
The officer, a member of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office’s (LCPO) Traffic Enforcement Unit, was apprehended by the Mobile Patrol Unit after a 911 call reported a physical assault.
LCPO spokesman Lt. Col. Christian Torres confirmed the arrest, stating that victims at the scene positively identified the officer as their attacker.
The three victims — two males and one female, all 16 — were celebrating a birthday when the officer approached them. They initially mistook him for a lifeguard, as he was off-duty and gave no indication he was an officer.
One victim told media on Monday, Aug. 4, that the officer, without provocation, forcefully grabbed his head and dunked him underwater three times. The officer also submerged his female companion twice and forcibly dragged another male teenager.
The teens said the officer scolded them for swimming in a deep area, but they maintained they were only in chest-deep water and knew how to swim.
“We didn’t fight back because we’re just kids,” one victim said in Cebuano. “We didn’t want to be disrespectful, especially since he was a police officer.”
The victims also claimed others, including an elderly woman, were similarly harassed by the officer.
The suspect has denied the allegations, telling reporters he was simply warning other teenagers about strong currents. He claimed he never interacted with the victims and was confused by their complaints.
The LCPO has since filed a criminal case for child abuse against the officer, who also faces an administrative case that could result in his dismissal from the force.
The victims filed a formal complaint at the City Hall of Justice on Aug. 4. / AYB with reports from DPC