Tuguegarao cop relieved for allegedly hitting driver after road crash

MANILA, Philippines — A Tuguegarao City, Cagayan police officer was relieved from his post for allegeldy hitting a tricycle driver after a road crash, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

“Your badge is a symbol of service, not a license for abuse. Ang utos natin ay malinaw: maximum tolerance at laging pairalin ang respeto sa karapatang pantao,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

(Your badge is a symbol of service, not a license for abuse. Our order is clear: maximum tolerance and respect for human rights.)

“If you cannot control your temper, you have no business being a police officer. We will be firm in our disciplinary actions,” he added.

READ: PNP probes into collision of its Libreng Sakay bus and another bus in Edsa

Nartatez noted that the implicated officer’s commander and team leader were also relieved from their posts amid an ongoing investigation into the incident.

Nartatez did not name any of the relieved officers.

According to the PNP, the tricycle driver, who was not identified, had been involved in a prior road crash incident and attempted to evade authorities.

“The driver allegedly failed to stop and instead fled the scene, prompting a pursuit that later resulted in another collision involving another tricycle, where he was allegedly approached by the officer and hit on the head,” the PNP explained in the statement.

It did not immediately say when or where the incident occurred. /gsg