Mandaluyong cops sacked after being filmed brutalizing curfew violators

A Mandaluyong City police officer had no idea he was being filmed when he repeatedly struck two men with a wooden stick, before threatening to shoot them.

The footage aired on Steve Dailisan's report for "24 Oras" was taken late Tuesday in Brgy. San Jose by one of the victims, who refused when PO1 Jose Julius Tandog threatened to cuff him.

"Gusto mo? Ha?" Tandog exclaimed, before assaulting them.

On the video, Tandog, together with another police officer by the name of Chito Enriques, were each holding their guns in threatening the unarmed subjects.

"Sige, lapit, puputukan ko kayo," one of the cops threatened.

One of victims who escaped through the station's door was cornered by Enriques.

The police officers stopped hitting the victims when a witness, the victim's sister, arrived.

The two men suffered several bruises and wounds from the blows.

After it came to their knowledge that they had been filmed, the officers apologized to the victims and signed an agreement to answer their hospital expenses.

However, the victim identified as Alfred said he was set on filing an official complaint.

With visibly fresh injuries, the two victims told GMA News the next day that they were brought in for prohibited drinking of alcoholic beverages after a curfew - a violation of barangay ordinance for which the fine was only P500 pesos.

After seeing the video, Mandaluyong police chief Joaquin Alva said he temporarily dismissed Tandog and Enriques, who are facing criminal and administrative charges.

"Definitely, wala namang threat sa kanila, bakit sila bumunot ng baril? Mali 'yon," he said. —Margaret Claire Layug/JST, GMA News