POLICE chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to look into the incident at the posh Dasmarinas Village in Makati involving a police officer and a foreigner which went viral Sunday night.
Initial reports indicated the incident happened Sunday afternoon. Police Senior Master Sergeant Roland Von Madrona and barangay watchman Esteban Gaan were doing their regular round of the village to ensure the strict enforcement of quarantine rules.
Upon reaching the street fronting 1657 Dasmarinas Avenue, Madrona and Gaan chanced upon house staff Cherilyn Escalate watering their outdoor plants without a face mask, a violation of the health protocols under the enhanced community quarantine.
The Makati City’s Ordinance No. 2020-089, approved on April 13, mandating residents to wear a face mask when they are in public places, common areas, and outside of their houses. Violators will be fined from P1,000 up to P5,000, and will be imprisoned for six months for recurring incidents.
Madrona castigated Escalate for her violation, after which the latter went inside the house to get her identification card so she can be issued a violation ticket. Soon after, Spanish Javier Parra and his wife Abegail Salvador came out of the house.
Parra, who police claimed was intoxicated at the time, allegedly confronted and cursed at Madrona and Gaan, who was then filming the incident using his mobile phone. A video of the incident that went viral on social media showed Madrona and Parra exchanging heated words and the police officer trying to arrest the foreigner, who resisted the attempts.
Madrona was able to pin down Parra on the ground but did not handcuff him after his wife Salvador said he has a spinal problem. After Parra got up on his feet, he and his wife went back insider their house and closed the door on the cop and the barangay watchman.
“Let me emphasize that police operations to enforce the law are strictly guided by the Revised Police Operational Procedures that every police officer making arrests or police intervention should strictly observe,” Gamboa said.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay likewise ordered an investigation into the incident and the erring individual will face appropriate charges.
“Mayor Abby has ordered the Makati Police to conduct an immediate inquiry into the reported incident at Dasmariñas Village involving policemen and a resident. The appropriate charges should be filed against those concerned after a full investigation,” city government spokesman Michael Camiña said.
Makati police chief Col. Rogelio Simon said they are determined to file charges against Escalate and Parra for verbal assault and unjust vexation, simple disobedience to a local ordinance, and for being intoxicated outside the house.
Simon said Parra can also be charged with violation of Republic Act 11332, or the Bayanihan We Heal as One Ac, for failure to follow guidelines set by health department.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Parra displayed arrogance when he confronted the police officer. He called on the Bureau of Immigration to look into the matter.
“Arrogance has no place in our country — especially so in a situation where either all of us win or all of us lose to the COVID-19 threat,” Lacson said.
“On the other hand, being an ‘investor’ with 80 employees, as he claimed, does not give the foreigner the right to confront and incessantly berate a police officer who is merely performing a risky duty in the manner that he did,” he added.
Lacson also slammed netizens who unfairly criticized the police as the video clip that went viral was an edited version.
Vice President Leni Robredo urged the PNP to shun violence in implementing lockdown rules, saying the police should be more “compassionate” towards civilians amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
While still being strict, Robredo said the police should be more patient in apprehending violators.
Mayroon rin talagang matitigas iyong mga ulo, at tingin natin kailangan talaga istrikto iyong enforcement. Pero sana hindi siya humahantong sa karahasan (There are some who are really stubborn and we think there’s a need for a strict enforcement. However, we hope it won’t lead to violence),” she told CNN Philippines. — With Wendell Vigilia and Noel Talacay
