Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento has ordered the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to probe the mauling incident inside the Marikina City police station involving a cop and a radio reporter last Tuesday.
Sarmiento, who also chairs the Napolcom, directed the agency to determine whether the action of SPO2 Manuel Layson, who had been accused by dzRH reporter Edmar Estabillo of beating him up, warrants the imposition of an administrative sanction.
Marikina police said Layson did not manhandle Estabillo. Instead, Layson subdued the reporter to arrest him for allegedly “disrespecting” the policeman.
But the version of Estabillo’s camp claims that a fight ensued after Layson, the desk officer on duty, refused to show the reporter the station’s police blotter, a document supposedly available to the public, especially media practitioners.
Estabillo’s lawyer Geoffrey Andawi said it even came to a point that Layson strangled his client.
“The Napolcom is at the forefront of its campaign for an improved police discipline and integrity, and we will not tolerate police officers whose nefarious acts taint the image of the PNP,” Sarmiento said in a statement.
Eastern Police District head Chief Superintendent Elmer Jamias immediately ordered the relief of Layson while the incident is being investigated.
Police filed unjust vexation charge against the reporter and was held at the Marikina Police’s General Assignment Section. Estabillo was released when he posted bail a day after.
Meanwhile, Sarmiento assured the public that the Napolcom will not tolerate any wrongdoing committed by the members of the police organization. JE