A traffic policeman has been relieved from his post for allegedly beating a minor in Pandacan, Manila.
Manila Police District chief Police Brig. Bernabe Balba ordered the sacking of Police Master Sgt. Dennis Piad of the MPD Traffic Enforcement Unit last Friday.
A closed circuit television footage that went viral on social media recently showed Piad apparently losing his patience when some children broke the glass window of his car.
The video showed Piad roaming around a residential area after the incident when he suddenly kicked and bumped the head of a child on a post. Moments after, he also hit other minors in the area.
According to the mother of the minor beaten by the suspect, her son only hit but did not break the glass window of the car.
“’Yung anak ko iika-ika lumakad, tapos meron siyang parang galos sa leeg niya na tanda siguro ng pagkakahawak sa kanya. Kung may kasalanan man yung anak ko, sa maayos na proseso na lang sana. Hindi ‘yung siya ‘yung nanakit dun sa anak ko,” she said.
Police Lt. Josette Saturnino, Women and Children Protection Desk chief of the MPD Pandacan station, said children’s rights should be respected.
“Although nagkamali ‘yung bata, ‘yung actuation na ganun hindi dapat, hindi nararapat, kasi igalang pa rin dapat ang karapatan ng bata,” she said.
Police Lt. Col. Carlo Manuel, chief of the MPD Public Information Office, administrative and criminal charges might be filed against Piad.
Balba has ordered the MPD Pandacan police station to probe the incident.
The Manila top cop said that he would not tolerate any unlawful acts of his personnel. (Erma Edera)
