Still no case vs cop-landlord

MANILA, Philippines — The tenants of a Pasay policeman who claimed they were forcibly evicted after they failed to pay rent for two months while Metro Manila was in lockdown have yet to file a complaint against him.

Last week, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano directed Pasay police chief Col. Ericson Dilag to investigate the allegation against Sgt.  Alex Macuranay.

Assistant city police chief Police Col. Deanry Francisco said an administrative case might be filed against Macuranay depending on the results of their ongoing investigation.

The policeman has been relieved of his assignment at the Pasay police substation 5 after a video showing him scolding and swearing at his tenants went viral. The incident happened on April 12 but the video was uploaded only recently by Mary Cuer Nobleza who said that they were forced to leave the house in Barangay 145 and walk home to Antipolo City, Rizal.

She added that she belatedly posted the video after they were recently told they could only retrieve the belongings they left behind if they paid Macuranay first.

In his defense, the policeman denied in a radio interview that he demanded payment and pointed a gun at one of the tenants.

He claimed that he had received complaints that one of the tenants was drinking inside the house with some friends, prompting him to scold them. This was supported by Barangay 145 chair Rey Legaspi who said many of the tenants had failed to comply with quarantine protocols, including a ban on public drinking.