PNP: Cops not behind viral video of Pulong’s alleged assault

The Philippine National Police (PNP) maintained Sunday that the circulating video allegedly involving Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte assaulting a man in a bar did not come from any police personnel. 

The PNP issued the clarification after a businessman filed a complaint for physical injuries and grave threats against the congressman before the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

The complainant said in his sworn statement that the solon, the eldest son of former president Rodrigo Duterte, threatened him with a knife and beat him up for around two hours on February 23 inside a bar in Davao City.

The CCTV footage of the incident, as well as the complainant's affidavit, have been circulating on social media. 

“Ang mga video na kumakalat online ay hindi galing sa PNP, at wala ring PNP unit o personnel na naglabas nito,” the PNP said in a statement.

(The videos circulating online are not from the PNP, and no PNP unit or personnel released such.) 

The PNP also reiterated that it has no custody of any CCTV footage of the incident and denied any involvement in the dissemination of the document. 

“Iginagalang ng PNP ang proseso ng batas. Sa ngayon, ang kaso ay opisyal nang naisampa sa Department of Justice, kaya kung may mga katanungan tungkol sa nilalaman ng reklamo, dapat po itong idulog sa kanilang tanggapan,” the PNP added. 

(The PNP respects the process of law. Currently, the case has been officially filed with the Department of Justice, so if there are any questions regarding the contents of the complaint, these should be addressed to the DOJ.) 

The PNP also said that it is willing to coordinate in the investigation if formally requested by concerned agencies. 

The lawmaker, for his part, has chosen to remain silent regarding the complaint.

“Sa mga kapatid kong Davaoeño, ngayon may nakita na naman kayong video. Matagal-tagal na itong nangyari. Ah sige lang, nasa sa inyo pa rin ang desisyon kung sino ang inyong ibobotong congressman sa unang distrito. 'Di ako makikialam,” he said in Cebuano in a video that was posted on his Facebook account.

(To my fellow Davaoeños, you have seen another video. It's been quite some time since this happened. Ah, it's okay, the decision is still up to you as to who you will vote for as congressman in the first district. I will not interfere.) 

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed the complaint filed against her brother as part of the Marcos administration’s alleged political attacks on their family.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Malacañang will respond to the Vice President’s allegation in a press briefing on Monday. —RF, GMA Integrated News

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