After ‘yantok’ beating case, EPD cops undergo anger management seminar

After two Mandaluyong City policemen were sent packing to Mindanao for beating up two men with a stick, the Eastern Police District (EPD) has ordered some of its beat patrolmen to undergo a day-long anger and stress management seminar.

EPD director Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula told the Inquirer on Tuesday that initially, 50 patrol policemen would attend the seminar on Thursday.

In Mandaluyong City alone, 70 police officers will undergo the seminar, according to city police chief Senior Supt. Joaquin Alva.

Among the lecturers are a psychologist from the Philippine National Police Health Service, a legal officer and an official from the EPD.

Last week, Mandaluyong policeman PO1 Jose Julius Tandog, 30, was caught on video repeatedly hitting Mac Glen Villanueva and Marvin Calda with a “yantok” or nightstick. Tandog was placed under custody with another policeman, PO1 Chito Enriquez, who stood beside him but did nothing to stop the beatings.

Earlier, the two policemen arrested Villanueva and Calda for drinking on the sidewalk in Sitio Tres, Barangay San Jose, in violation of a city ordinance.

Tandog, however, claimed that the two men swore at him and Enriquez repeatedly. One of the victims also slapped him, he added, making him lose his temper.

Sapitula said he would review his policemen’s level and quality of response to anger.

“We will teach them the proper intervention. Should they use a gun? A stick? As first responders and policemen, we are expected to have a higher level of tolerance,” he added.

“I think the review is needed as some policemen are taught to combat stress or anger by resting every three hours while at work. But that I think is not the right response. They are policemen,” he said.