Cop with drawn gun seen on video in altercation with motorcycle rider

The Southern Police District (SPD) on Wednesday said it was investigating the traffic altercation between a police officer and motorcycle rider in Makati City. 

A video that has since gone viral showed the two motorists on Osmeña Highway in Barangay Pio Del Pilar at 7:20 a.m. on August 25. 

A man in a white shirt was seen holding what appeared to be a gun while pinning down the motorcycle rider who was lying on the ground.

The man had been identified as Police Staff Sergeant Marson Dolipas of Pasay City Police while the rider was Angelito Rencio, Cedric Castillo reported on “24 Oras”.

The rider was initially reported to be a retired soldier but the Army has denied he was on its roster.

Based on the initial investigation, the police officer was on his way to work when the rider allegedly sideswiped his car. 

Instead of apologizing, the rider reportedly gave him a dirty finger and uttered expletives. 

The cop alighted his vehicle to confront the rider when allegedly saw a firearm tucked on the latter’s waist.

He then presented himself as a police officer before taking the gun and subduing the rider as a precautionary measure. 

Mariano said this was the part seen in the video circulating online. 

Both motorists were brought to Makati City Police Substation 3 for questioning. 

The cop surrendered his firearm while the rider requested to go home to get the documents of his gun.

Mariano relieved the substation commander from his duty after releasing the rider. 

Administrative cases may also be filed against him as well as the desk officer on duty. 

Complaints will also be filed against the rider upon completion of the pertinent documents for the verification of his firearm. 

Dolipas was relieved from his post and was moved to the Pasay City Police admin holding unit while the Makati City police is investigating the incident.

"We appeal to the public to refrain from making hasty judgments solely based on a video clip. It is imperative to seek a comprehensive understanding of the entire incident, including the events that transpired before and after the video was taken,” said Mariano.

“As a law enforcement agency, we are committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to gather all relevant facts and establish an accurate sequence of events,” he said.

Acorda questions rider’s release

Philippine National Police Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. asked why the Makati substation policemen allowed Rencio to go home. 

“Kung totoo yung sinabi nya nakita nya ang baril in plain view, it’s the duty of a police officer. 'Yung tinatawag natin na ‘mala prohibita’. Once na may makita, ang automatic jan is chekin kung ano authority to possess firearms,” he said. 

(If what the cop said was true then it’s the duty of a police officer. That’s what we call mala prohibita. Once we see a gun, the automatic response is to check if the holder is authorized to carry a firearm.)

“Pwedeng pakawalan pag nakitang legitimate lahat yung papel. 'Yun ang gusto nating makita. Pero yun nga nakita natin, isang ID lang, it’s not convincing for me,” Acorda added. 

(They can release him if the documents are legitimate. But he only presented an ID. It’s not convincing for me.)

The Philippine Army (PA) denied Rencio is a military personnel. 

“There seems to be no record. Usually kahit po nag-retire yan meron po kaming records na pwede naming ma-validate. 'Yung initial report po natin sa army reservist, hindi po siya reservist ng army,” PA Spokesperson Xerxes Trinidad said. 

(There seems to be no record. Usually, even retirees have records. He is not an army reservist.)

“We do not condone such actions. Bawal po ang ginagawa nila. Makikipagtulungan po ang Philippine Army kung kinakailangan po,” Trinidad added. 

(We do not condone such actions. That’s wrong. The PA is ready to coordinate with the investigation if needed.) 

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday issued a 90-day preventive suspension against the police officer and the rider.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said a show cause order will also be issued against the motorists to ask them to explain their side of why the agency should not revoke their driver’s license and why they should not be held liable for violating Section 48, Section 27, and Section 24 of the Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

 “Personal kong napanood ang video na nag-viral sa social media kaya agad nating ipinag-utos na suspendihin pansamantala ang lisensya ng dalawang taong involved sa insidenteng ito at pagpapaliwanagin din natin kung bakit hindi dapat i-revoke ang kanilang professional driver’s license,” said Mendoza.

Further, the LTO also asked the female registered owner of the motorcycle to explain why she should not be penalized after records revealed the vehicle was not registered.

The agency has already ordered to block any attempt to register the vehicle while the investigation is ongoing. —NB, GMA Integrated News