NAPOLCOM official, viral cop in heated argument during press conference

National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Commissioner Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan and a policeman who figured in a viral video engaged in a heated argument during a press conference on Wednesday.

At the presser, Calinisan presented the cop to the media and identified him as Police Corporal Simeon Suan.

As Suan began to give his statement, Calinisan asked if the cop will not apologize for his actions during a traffic altercation in Taguig City where he forcibly handcuffed a senior citizen.

“I have to apologize, Sir. I understand po pero please, sana po ay bigyan niyo ako ng pagkakataong makapagpaliwanag, Sir. With all due respect po. Sir, please,” Suan said.

(I have to apologize, Sir. I understand but please, I hope you will give me a chance to explain, Sir. With all due respect. Sir, please.)

“Kasi yung video po na kumakalat, parang ako ang sobrang maling-mali doon. Puwede po ba Sir na mabigyan ako ng due process? Ma-explain ko man lang yung side ko, Sir?” Suan said.

(With the video that is circulating, it seems like I am the one who is so wrong. Can Sir give me due process. Can I at least explain my side, Sir?)

Suan claims the elderly driver allegedly tried to run him over during the confrontation. He claimed to possess video footage obtained from barangay officials showing the incident.

The policeman also alleged that the senior citizen had previously been involved in several cases, including frustrated homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries.

“Gusto ko lang pong patunayan na itong moral character ng tao ay hindi ganun kaganda,” Suan said.

(I just want to prove that this person's moral character is not that good.)

To which Calinisan responded, “Do you want to go that route, Corporal Suan? Do you have to go that route?”

The NAPOLCOM official also questioned the cop about Suan’s own disciplinary record, citing previous administrative cases, suspensions, and a prior demotion.

Among the supposed offenses of the cop were grave coercion, unlawful arrest, slight physical injuries, erasure of entry in the official blotter, among others, according to Calinisan.

“It's just a traffic accident. My God. Matanda yung pinag-uusapan natin dito. Reasonable force? You're a policeman. And you're even answering this way in front of the whole Filipino people. ‘Di ka ba nahiya?” Calinisan said.

(It's just a traffic accident. My God. We're talking about an old man here. Reasonable force? You're a policeman. And you're even answering this way in front of the whole Filipino people. Aren't you ashamed?”

Calinisan directed NAPOLCOM's legal service to file a criminal case against Suan for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 7438 or failure to inform an arrested person of his rights.

“Dapat binasa mo yung Miranda Rights niya,” Calinisan said.

(You should have read his Miranda Rights.)

He also ordered the NAPOLCOM Inspection, Monitoring and Evaluation Service to initiate a motu proprio investigation against Suan for oppression, grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

In his defense, Suan said he acted to prevent the situation from escalating because a crowd had already gathered at the scene and traffic had built up.

Calinisan said Suan brought the incident to the barangay government after investigators allegedly turned him down.

The senior citizen paid P30,000 for the damage of Suan's sedan, according to Calinisan. This was denied by the cop.

“Wala pong katotohanan ‘yun Sir, huwag po tayong magpapogi sa media Sir. Yun lang po masasabi ko rito. Sana naman Sir mabigyan niyo ako ng chance. Mali-mali po yung sinasabi niyo. Hanggang ngayon wala pong binabayad sa akin kahit singko,” Suan said.

(There is no truth to that, Sir, stop grandstanding to the media, Sir. That's all I can say here. I hope, Sir, that you will give me a chance. What you are saying is completely wrong. Up until now, I have not been paid even a penny.)

“Huwag niyo po sana akong gamiting instrumento dito para magpapogi kayo sa media,” he added.

(Please don't use me as an instrument here to get media attention.)

Calinisan reacted, “Hindi kami nagpapapogi dito (We are not grandstanding here).”

Suan immediately responded. “Nagpapapogi kayo, Sir (You are grandstanding Sir).”

Another police officer took the microphone from Suan.

Calinisan continued, “Alam mo Corporal Suan, kung ganiyan ang klase ng mga pulis dito, the NAPOLCOM will be happy to dismiss these types of errant cops until our policemen understand that we cannot do this our Filipino people. We will show you what discipline is.”

(You know Corporal Suan, if this is the kind of police here, the NAPOLCOM will be happy to dismiss these types of errant cops until our policemen understand that we cannot do this to our Filipino people. We will show you what discipline is.)

“NAPOLCOM Commissioner, babastusin. Nasaan na ba ang respeto natin dito?,” Calinisan added.

(You insulted a NAPOLCOM Commissioner. Where is our respect here?)

Suan was later escorted from the venue. —RF, GMA News