Cops detailed with Davao city mayor face investigation over mauling incident

MANILA, Philippines—The Davao City police are investigating the members of the police security detailed with Mayor Sara Duterte at the time of the punching incident last week, a Philippine National Police spokesman saidTuesday.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. told reporters that an investigation is being conducted to find out whether the policemen assigned with the city lady mayor participated in the incident or did not do anything to stop Duterte from hurting the sheriff, who was serving a court order to demolish houses of informal settlers in the city’s Soliman village.

Cruz said that they are still finding out who were the policemen acting as security during the July 1 incident. Police Officers 2 Dennis Cabudti and Roy Osiones are officially assigned with Duterte.

Cruz said the concerned policemen would be charged with neglect of duty if found that they did not do anything to stop the incident. If they are found to have abetted the mauling, they face grave misconduct charges.

Neglect of duty could result in demotion or suspension, while grave misconduct could be punished with separation from service.

The PNP spokesman said that as law enforcers, (the police security) should “prevent a government official or anybody from doing anything that would hurt other people….”

Duterte hit a court sheriff Friday last week after he ignored her request for a two-hour delay in the demolition of houses in one of Davao City’s depressed areas.