The Philippine National Police yesterday disclosed that an investigation has been conducted to verify the alleged police brutality committed by policemen in Cebu City during an anti-illegal drug operation.
At least six heavily armed men in civilian attire were caught on a closed-circuit television camera as they barged inside what appears a computer shop and started mauling three men.
Witnesses claimed that the armed men are members of the Talamban police station in Cebu City who conducted an anti-illegal drug operation.
The subject of the operation was Eddie Basillote, 28, an alleged drug personality, and the operation was held at Maxilom Extention, Barangay Carreta on Maundy Thursday.
A copy of the CCTV video that was posted by a certain Nkuratka Maona in a Facebook group on April 20 has since gone viral, garnering more than 4,200 reactions and 12,536 shares at present.
“Mga police ‘yan dito sa Talamban, Cebu City… Nananawagan po kami sa inyo na bigyan pansin itong mga police na ito,” Maona wrote in a Facebook post.
Police Major Elisandro Quijano, commander of the Talamban police station, denied that the men in the video were his subordinates.
However, he confirmed that they arrested Basillote in a buy-bust operation last April 18. He said illegal drugs were found in Basillote’s possession but Maona claimed otherwise.
In the seven minute, 25 seconds-long video, the armed men were seen arriving in the area and apprehending Basillote and his two companions. The armed men then started searching the area.
Shortly, the armed men started punching and kicking Basillote and his companions. Some of the armed men also struck the victims with the butts of their guns while they lay on the pavement.
Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said the incident was being investigated by the Cebu City Police Office.
“We assure the public that we will get to the bottom of this. If found that PNP personnel may be involved or have committed illegal acts, we will never tolerate it, especially now that the PNP is serious in its internal cleansing program,” Banac said.
If found that the armed men in the video are indeed cops, Banac said they will be slapped with both administrative and criminal charges.
Banac reminded cops to always adhere to the rule of law, obey prescribed standard operating procedures, and respect human rights in all police operations. (Martin Sadongdong)
