PNP probes VP Binay over city hall violence

Mayor Junjun Binay, (top inset) a supporter who got injured when the DILG posted the suspension order (bottom inset) at the entrance of the Makati City Hall. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO and INSET PHOTOS BY RUEL PEREZ/RADYO INQUIRER

THE Philippine National Police will look into the alleged violent outbursts that Vice President Jejomar Binay displayed during the tense standoff at the Makati City Hall.

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said the PNP would make a formal request to television networks asking for the footage of the commotion that happened on Monday night when police forces refused to leave the barricades, preventing Binay supporters from entering the city hall premises.

“Ito ay para makita kung sino ‘yung nanguwelyo, kung sino ang sumuntok, kung sino ang humawak sa kamay, kung sino ang nagtulak sa mga babaeng pulis na siyang ginagawa lang ang kanilang tinakdang tungkulin na panatilihin ang kaayusan at katahimikan sa lugar,” Roxas told reporters on Tuesday.

Binay arrived at the Makati City Hall to show support for his son Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay, who remains holed up in his office in defiance of a second suspension order slapped by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias, the ground commander and Southern Police District’s deputy chief for administration, earlier said Binay threatened and manhandled SPD personnel in the area, including policewoman PO1 Perjet Esguerra.

Roxas said Esguerra, who sustained bruises, already secured a medical certificate and a sworn statement about the incident.

Another injured policeman was Chief Inspector Gideon Ines. Binay and his bodyguards allegedly collared and punched Ines, whom they accused of pushing away Aida Dizon, the sister of his wife Dr. Elenita Binay, when she tried to enter the city hall.

Jamias and other SPD members will file multiple charges against the Vice President including physical injury, direct assault on a person of authority, oral defamation and grave threat.

“We will see from the footage that our PNP exercised maximum tolerance and absolute restraint. They were there to enforce the law, not to create chaos,” said Roxas.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary thanked the police officers for showing restraint despite the harassment, invectives and even human waste allegedly hurled against them by the crowd.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa pinapakitang pasensya at katibayan ng loob ng ating kapulisan na sa kabila ng harassment, pagmumura, may bag ng ihi at iba pang human waste na tinapon sa kanila ay nanatili ang kanilang propesyunalismo at ito ay kinikilala natin,” Roxas said.

When asked to comment on the SPD’s plan to sue Binay, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said: “Policemen performing their duties to enforce and uphold the law deserves support from the organization and its leadership.”

He said policemen detailed at the city hall will continue to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with similar situations.

“The PNP will uphold the law, maintain peace and order and adhere to the policy of maximum tolerance in this kind of situation,” Mayor said.

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