A radio reporter suffered bruises after a policeman allegedly mauled and arrested him during an argument inside the Marikina City police station Tuesday morning.
But Marikina police chief Senior Superintendent Vincent Calanoga said the lawman, SPO2 Manuel Layson, claimed self-defense after dzRH reporter Edmar Estabillo “disrespected” him.
“Layson said Estabillo became disrespectful. Hindi naging maganda ang paguusap nila so inaresto niya si Estabillo and handcuffed him,” Calanoga said.
Eastern Police District head Chief Superintendent Elmer Jamias immediately ordered the relief of Layson, who was the officer on duty at the time of the incident.
Calanoga said the officer was relieved so that he would not be able to influence the conduct of investigation. The police official said policemen should not manhandle anyone under any circumstance.
Estabillo’s lawyer, Geoffrey Andawi, said his client was “strangled and harassed” by Layson.
“He came to the police station to look into the log book. SPO2 Layson was the person who was there at the desk and he didn’t want to give it to him (Estabillo),” said Andawi in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net.
“Layson asked why. He (Estabillo) said, ‘I’m a reporter. Gusto kong makita dahil gusto kong gawan ng report.’ Then an exchange of heated words ensued. I saw the mark in his hand and my client was even strangled,” he said.
Andawi said they were asking for a CCTV footage of the incident to prove Estabillo’s account of what happened.
The Marikina police filed unjust vexation charge against the reporter, who was held at the Marikina Police’s General Assignment Section.
Andawi said: “Definitely, we will file countercharges against the police.”