2 cops relieved to give way to impartial probe after quarantine violator allegedly mauled in Cavite

Two police personnel who were linked to the alleged mauling of a quarantine violator in General Trias, Cavite, were relieved from duty, according to a report of Mark Makalalad on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday.

General Trias Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlon Solero said he relieved the two cops to give way to the impartial investigation of the Internal Affairs Service of the province.

In a statement on Saturday, Cavite Provincial Police Office director Police Colonel Marlon Santos denied that the police officers physically harmed violator Ronald Campo.

In the early morning of Wednesday, May 13, Campo was held under the custody of the General Trias Police Station for "violation of Liquor Ban, Curfew and no Quarantine Pass."

Santos said Campo was intoxicated and attempted to escape several times that caused bruises and injuries on his body.

He added that Campo allegedly grabbed a woman as hostage, citing witnesses' statements.

“Our police officers, sworn to enforce the law with utmost respect for human rights, exhibited good faith by immediately bringing the suspect to the hospital for medical attention,” Santos said.

Campo is now facing complaints such as Resistance and Disobedience upon Agent of Person in Authority, Violation of City Ordinance Non-Wearing of Face Mask, Violation of Provincial Ordinances (Liquor Ban and Curfew), and Qualified Trespass to Dwelling, Santos said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday said the incident will be investigated.

"Paiimbestigahan po natin iyan. Tatawagan natin mismo si PNP (Philippine National Police) chief (Archie) Gamboa at titingnan po natin kung anong nangyari diyan," he said.

Roque said those found violating any law will be prosecuted.

"Alam ninyo naman po sa ating gobyerno no one is above the law. Kung talagang may lumabag sa batas mayroon naman pong imbestigasyon, paglilitis at pagpaparusa," he said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News