MANILA — At least three police officers from the Pasuquin Municipal Police Station in Ilocos Norte province have been recommended for reassignment following their alleged involvement in a police brutality incident.

Police Lt. Col. Benigno Sumawang, chief of the Public Information Office of Police Regional Office 1 (Ilocos), said the officers are set to be transferred to the Regional Police Holding and Administrative Unit, pending approval from the Commission on Elections due to election period restrictions. 

Meanwhile, Major Jonevale Maramag, officer-in-charge of the Pasuquin police, has been ordered to explain the incident, Sumawang added. 

A viral video on social media showed a police officer slapping and cursing at a man. 

According to the uploader’s post, the man went to the Pasuquin Municipal Police Station last Saturday to file a complaint. 

However, instead of receiving justice for his grievance, he allegedly faced violence at the hands of the police.

The complainant was also reportedly kicked.

Additionally, a 14-year-old boy, who tried to de-escalate the situation, was allegedly threatened with a firearm.

Gun-cocking sounds can also be heard in the video.

“Awan ti basol ko, sir,” the man was heard saying. (I did not do anything wrong, sir.) 

Initial information gathered by the Regional Police Office suggested that tensions escalated at the station because the complainant was allegedly acting "unruly."

“Sa video, which is hindi masyadong clear, parang may tinulak doon. Para magbigay ng mas klarong usapin ay nagkaroon nga ng parang commotion doon sa lamay dito sa grandmother ng isang involved. Ngayon, noong nasa station na sila, naging unruly sila, as to the report, kaya pinacify naman ng ating mga kapulisan,” Sumawang said. 

(In the video, which is not very clear, it looks like someone was pushed. To provide more clarity, there was reportedly a commotion at the wake of the grandmother of one of those involved. When they arrived at the station, they became unruly, according to the report, so the police tried to pacify them.)

Ilocos Police Regional Director Brigadier General Lou Evangelista has ordered an investigation into the incident.

“I have already ordered the immediate validation and investigation of facts surrounding the incident," he said. 

"Any violation of PNP rules and standards committed by police officers, once proven, will be addressed with utmost seriousness.”  

The National Police Commission has also vowed not to tolerate police brutality.

“Ipinag-utos na natin ang moto propio investigation sa ating Inspection Monitoring and Investigation Service or IMIS kasama ng Regional Office natin sa Napolcom para imbestigahan ‘yong kaso,” said Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan of the National Police Commission. 

(We have ordered a moto proprio investigation through our Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service (IMIS), together with our Regional Office in Napolcom, to look into this case.) 

He said the officers involved may face charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, which could result in demotion, suspension, or dismissal from service. 

“Kung nararapat na parusahan ang ating kapulisan sa pangyayaring ito ay hindi tayo magdadalawang isip na parusahan at mabigay ng stiff penalties,” Calinisan said. 

(If necessary, we will not hesitate to impose stiff penalties on the involved officers.)

In a separate statement, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office stressed that it does not tolerate any form of abuse of authority.

“The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office does not condone any alleged abuse of authority, as seen in a circulating video involving police personnel from Pasuquin Municipal Police Station,” it said. “We assure that the INPPO leadership upholds professionalism and accountability in law enforcement."