Sinas says arrested female Grab driver 'threatened' cop; driver's boyfriend denies

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas on Thursday defended the arrest of female Grab driver Florence Norial, saying she "threatened" and "bullied" a policeman who was out with his family.

Norial, 26, was arrested outside a mall in Taguig City for allegedly hurting Police Captain Ronald Saquilayan, which she said she did because the police officer pushed her during an altercation involving their vehicles.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event in the Eastern Police District, Sinas narrated the incident based on the information he obtained from the Taguig City Police and from Saquilayan's statement.

"'Yung pulis, kasama 'yung pamilya niya, ay bumibili daw sila. So bumibili sila, nauna sila, 'yung Grab na babae ay nagmamadali, busina nang busina. Noong hindi pa raw siya kuntento, tina-tap 'yung salamin niya. Samantalang 'yung anak niya bumibili," Sinas said.

He said despite Saquilayan's appeal, Norial was insistent that he move his vehicle, insisting that she has a passenger.

Sinas said Saquilayan got "irritated" when Norial threatened to bring the issue to the media.

"Nairita na rin 'yung pulis kasi parang tinatakot at binu-bully na siya, so inaresto na siya (Norial)," Sinas said.

Sinas said Saquilayan, who was not in his uniform, denied hurting Norial.

"Kaya ano 'to eh, allegations kontra allegations," Sinas said, adding it is up to Saquilayan to prove his claims against Norial.

Norial's boyfriend, Mirza Miguel Shahzad, denied that his girlfriend bullied the policeman. He said they have evidence to prove it.

"Wala pong ganyan na nangyari. Naka-detain po siya ngayon and she was still asking how these things are happening," Shahzad told GMA News Online.

"We did not threaten them. We want to take videos that time for our safety also. I do hope malinawan sila kasi we have the videos to prove our side," he added.

Sinas vowed that the incident would be investigated separately. He said police would talk to witnesses to shed light on the incident.

"Kanina pa, pinatawag ko na ang chief of police, nag-imbestiga na sila... Mayroon na pong explanation 'yung police natin, nagdala na sila ng witness," he said.

"Ganoon pa rin, iimbestigahan pa rin namin separately kasi sabi ng chief of police, finile-an din nila 'yung babae ng kaso," he added.

Sinas, meanwhile, asked the public to also listen to the police officer's version of the story.

"Pakinggan din natin 'yung side ng pulis namin. Kasi ang pulis naman mayroon kaming directive na di po kami tumatakbo sa social media at magsalita ng kung ano-ano," he said. —KBK, GMA News