Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde has ordered the relief of three policemen-brothers who were caught on camera confronting a man after a traffic altercation.
The policemen were identified as Police Officer (PO) 3 Ralph Soriano of Northern Police District; PO1 Reniel Soriano of the Drug Enforcement Group in Camp Crame; and PO1 Rendel Soriano of Caloocan Police Station.
The Soriano brothers are the subject of a set of viral videos showing them confronting a man, identified as Ricardo Malaya, at his residence.
The videos show the brothers in civilian clothes tucked with guns on their waists.
In a statement, PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said the confrontation was triggered by a traffic dispute along Mabini Street in Caloocan City initially involving Reniel.
Bulalacao said Caloocan City Police Chief Senior Supt. Restituto B. Arcangel had already ordered an investigation of the police officers.
They are facing possible charges for alleged grave threat, grave oral defamation and alarm and scandal following a complaint filed by Malaya and his family members, Bulalacao said.
The Sorianos are also facing charges in violation of the Omnibus Election Code for bearing arms while not in uniform, he added.
“[Police Dir. Gen.] Oscar Albayalde reiterated that police officers must always showcase discipline and should conduct themselves properly all the time,” Bulalacao said.