A policeman under investigation over a traffic incident lost his cool on Wednesday, accusing National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chairman Rafael Vicente Calinisan of using him for media publicity.
Corporal Simeon Suan of the Rizal Police Provincial Office appeared before Calinisan during a press briefing streamed on Napolcom’s Facebook page.
Suan is facing scrutiny after a video circulated online showing him allegedly manhandling, handcuffing and arresting a 76-year-old driver whose van hit the policeman’s car in Taguig City last Tuesday.
The Rizal police had ordered Suan relieved pending an investigation.
During the briefing, Calinisan questioned Suan’s discipline after the policeman arrived late. Suan said he appeared before Napolcom to explain his side, but Calinisan asked whether he would apologize.
“I have to apologize, I understand, but please give me the opportunity to explain, with due respect, sir, please,” Suan said in mixed English and Filipino.
Suan claimed the driver tried to run him over after the collision, prompting him to handcuff and arrest the elderly man.
“The problem is he tried to run me over. I have video of that,” Suan said.
He also presented police reports supposedly showing the driver’s involvement in traffic-related cases, including frustrated homicide and attempted homicide.
Calinisan cut him off and asked whether he was trying to attack the driver’s character. He then cited Suan’s previous administrative cases involving unlawful arrest, grave coercion and slight physical injuries, among others.
“It’s just a traffic accident, and we are talking of an old man here,” Calinisan said, adding that Suan should have used only “reasonable force.”
Calinisan also said he received information that Suan and the driver reached an amicable settlement at a barangay hall, where the driver allegedly paid P30,000 for damage to the policeman’s vehicle.
Suan denied receiving money from the driver.
“There is no truth to that, sir. Let us stop getting media publicity, that’s all I can say,” Suan said.
He then accused Calinisan of using him as an “instrument to gain publicity,” which the Napolcom official denied.
Calinisan later ordered officials to escort Suan out of the room, saying the policeman’s conduct reflected poorly on the police organization.
“Where is the respect here? This is the reason why the PNP is losing public trust. It’s because of you. You do not deserve to be a policeman,” Calinisan said.
Calinisan ordered Napolcom’s Legal Service to file a criminal case against Suan for allegedly failing to inform the driver of his Miranda rights during the arrest.
He also directed Napolcom’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to conduct a motu proprio investigation against Suan for oppression, grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.