Belmonte urges QCPD to reinstate cop who dragged VP Sara in traffic mess

FILE PHOTO: Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — To rectify an “injustice” committed against someone who was only doing his job, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday urged the local police to reinstate a relieved policeman who claimed the convoy of Vice President Sara Duterte was passing when enforcers stopped the flow of traffic on Commonwealth Avenue.

READ: ‘VP Sara in Mindanao, not behind QC road closure’

Belmonte made the call to Quezon City Police District following her clarification with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romando Artes, who said that it is only normal to give courtesy for VIPs — like vice president — in public roads.

Belmonte stressed that she did not react at first when Executive Master Sergeant Verdo Pantollano was relieved by the QCPD, since she was under the impression the police officer had committed a wrongdoing by stopping traffic.

However, the mayor said she decided to speak up when Artes made the clarification.

“Following the clarification made by Chairman Artes, I feel  that an injustice was committed against Pantollano and must be rectified, regardless of who the VIP was,” Belmonte said in a statement.

“The cop must be reinstated as he was simply doing his job,” she added.

Belmonte also noted that the MMDA did not relieve nor take any action against the personnel who were present during the incident.

To recall, a viral video posted by former Bayan Muna solon Teddy Casiño on Thursday (Oct. 5) showed Commonwealth Ave. corner Tandang Sora Ave. closed off to make way for the convoy allegedly of Duterte.

Duterte’s camp vehemently denied this, saying that she had been in Mindanao since (Oct. 4) Wednesday.

JPV