Richard Garin apologizes to PNP, explains ire at mauled cop

Iloilo Representative Richard Garin has apologized to the Philippine National Police even as he explained his actions toward the policeman, whom he and his father allegedly mauled on Wednesday.

Garin said he acted out of frustration after he learned that Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya asked a victim to withdraw the complaint against a person who hurt a child during the celebration of "Disyembre sa Guimbal" on December 22.

"Gayunpaman, sinsero pa rin akong humihingi ng tawad sa nangyari. I reiterate my apologies for my actions which I take full responsibility for," Garin told GMA News Online in a mix of English and Hiligaynon.

"Pero gusto ko lang maklaro na ang actions ko are not directed to the PNP as an institution, or against its officers and personnel. My actions were a mere display of extreme frustration towards one, single PNP personnel na sa aking palagay ay nag-commit ng great disservice to the people of Guimbal," he added.

Garin said the suspect that the policeman had the victim exonerate was a "habitual delinquent" who had a pending murder case.

But instead of filing a case against the suspect, Garin claimed that Macaya simply asked the victim to sign a withdrawal of the case, even as the law states that the former should be charged for the act.

Garin said asking the victim to withdraw the case was a "betrayal of public trust" on the part of Macaya. —NB, GMA News