DISARMED | Police Staff Sgt. Marsan Dolipas is caught on video pinning to the ground a motorcycle rider identified as Angelito Rencio after the latter allegedly sideswiped his car in Makati City on Aug. 25, 2023. The scuffle ended with Dolipas arresting Rencio and taking away his gun. Rencio, however, was immediately released by Makati police investigators after claiming that he was a military intelligence agent. (Screenshots taken from a Facebook video taken by JOON OLAVER)
MANILA, Philippines — Barely three weeks after the Aug. 8 road rage incident in Quezon City that was caught on video, a similar case happened in Makati City, this time involving a police officer and an alleged military man.
Based on the initial police investigation, Staff Sgt. Marsan Dolipas was driving his car on his way to work at Pasay Police Substation 2 in the morning of Aug. 25 when his vehicle was sideswiped and cut off on the lane by a motorcycle-riding man later identified as Angelito Rencio.
The altercation happened around 7:20 a.m. at the corner of Arnaiz Avenue and Osmeña Highway in Barangay San Isidro.
Recounting the incident, Dolipas said he told Rencio to be more careful on the road, but Rencio allegedly cursed at him. Dolipas then told Rencio to watch his words but the latter revved up his engine instead and gave Dolipas the finger.
A 16-second video of the two men — showing Dolipas holding two handguns and pinning Rencio to the ground — was uploaded on Facebook the same day by Joon Olaver.
Lapses in probe
“He lifted his shirt up [then] I saw a gun tucked in his waist,” Dolipas told the police. “When he looked at the stoplight, I hurriedly got off my car, subdued him and took away his gun.”
Dolipas said he was able to call immediately for a barangay patrol vehicle, which later brought both men to the Makati Police Substation 3 for questioning.
It was at this point that Rencio claimed to be a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) — and was eventually released by the Makati police.
But he surrendered his firearm and an outdated ID card indicating he was part of the route security team deployed for the Asean Summit held in the country in 2017.
On Wednesday, Lt. Col. Eunice Salas, spokesperson for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said the release of Rencio that same day was a “lapse” on the part of the Makati police investigators.
“They were not able to prepare an appropriate report since they immediately released Rencio upon telling them he was an Isafp agent,” Salas said.
“Rencio told them he would just go back to his house in Parañaque to get pertinent documents confirming he was a member of the Isafp, including his mission order on why he needed to carry his firearm. However, he has not yet returned to the police substation,” she added.
Because of this negligence, NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered Capt. Edison Mabaet, commander of Makati Police Substation 3, and Staff Sgt. Reynald Matabang, relieved of their duties, Salas said.
“The desk officer did not endorse the case to the investigator. He also did not immediately inform the substation commander about the incident. Administrative charges are being prepared against them,” she added.
Manhunt on
Salas said Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos had ordered a manhunt for Rencio.
They also requested the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office to verify if the firearm surrendered by Rencio was licensed or he had a permit to carry it outside his home.
The NCRPO has also inquired with the AFP to confirm if Rencio is a member of the military.
As to Dolipas, Salas said he had since been relieved of his post in the Pasay City police to face an investigation as well.
“The video was too short to ascertain if what he (Dolipas) was saying was the truth,” she explained.
According to the Pasay police chief, Col. Froilan Uy, an initial backround check on Rencio showed that he had a standing arrest warrant for usurpation of authority, mainly for illegally wearing the uniform of an Army major.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office suspended the driver’s license of Dolipas and Rencio for 90 days, summoning them both for an explanation.