2 rookie cops sacked for behavior in viral traffic altercation

Two rookie police officers were relieved of their positions due to their unprofessional behavior toward a motorist following a road altercation in Ermita, Manila on Wednesday.  

According to Mark Salazar’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, the motorist said that he only had a misunderstanding with a police mobile patrol who allegedly cut him off on the road. 

“Kumat sa akin kanina tapos nung mabusinahan, galit. Partida na ‘yan, mga PO1 pa lang mga ‘yan,” the motorist can be heard in a dashcam video. 

(They cut me off earlier, and when I honked at them, they got angry. And to think, they’re only Police Officer 1s.) 

Afterwards, the police vehicle blocked the motorist at a traffic light. 

“O ayan naka-go, ayaw nila mag-go. Hinarangan nila ako dito,” the motorist said. 

(Look, it’s a green light now, but they won't move. They blocked me right here.)

Afterwards, the police mobile sped off during a red light. 

The video went viral online due to the cops’ behavior despite being new to the force. 

However, the police officers involved claimed that their mobile experienced “mechanical trouble” at the time of the incident. 

“They are claiming na nagkaroon ng mechanical trouble ang kanilang vehicle. Ongoing pa naman ang ating investigation at validation doon sa mga CCTV footage…Actually, the vehicle is undergoing repair today because of that incident,” said Ermita Police Station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Alfonso Saligumba. 

“Kailangan magkaroon tayo ng patas na pagi-imbestiga. At katulad ng nabanggit natin, kung ganun ‘yung talagang ginawa ng mga pulis natin, mananagot sila,” said Manila Police District spokesperson Major Philip Ines. 

(We need to have a fair investigation. And as we mentioned, if that is indeed what our officers did, they will be held accountable.) 

Meanwhile, the rookie cops admitted to their unprofessional behavior. 

“Sinubukan po namin mag-overtake sa nasa unahan namin, kasi may kailangan po ng police assistance. Ito pong si Vios, akala kinut namin siya. ‘Yun po pagliko namin saktong nandun siya, bumusina siya nang sobrang tagal,” said Patrolman Jerome Toledo. 

(We tried to overtake the vehicle in front of us because someone needed police assistance. This driver of the Vios thought we cut him off. When we turned, he happened to be right there and he honked his horn for a very long time.) 

The Land Transportation Office suspended the driver’s licenses of the two cops for 90 days for obstructing traffic flow and beating the red light.

A show cause order was also sent to the registered owner of the police mobile. 

Furthermore, administrative cases will proceed against the two officers.

“Humihingi po ako ng public apology sa mga nakapanood ng video. Sa lahat po ng uniformed personnel, humihingi ako ng apology sa nangyari po,” said Toledo. 

(I am offering a public apology to everyone who watched the video. To all uniformed personnel, I apologize for what happened.) 

“Lalong lalo na po kay Sir Calinisan, sa station commander at sa PCP commander, at sa taumbayan, at kapwa ko po pulis na naging masama ang tingin samin, humihingi ako ng pasensya po,” said Patrolman Aldrin Alcaus.

(Especially to Sir Calinisan, to the station commander and the PCP (Police Community Precinct) commander, to the public, and to my fellow officers who now look down on us—I ask for your forgiveness.) 

However, the National Police Commission is considering filing charges of perjury with imprisonment against the two cops. 

 “I was extremely offended with that statement, that was a complete lie. I will not take it from a policeman - the smallest ranking, the patrolman, lying to the commissioner of the National Police Commission,” said NAPOLCOM Commissioner Rafael Calinisan. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News