The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) said it is investigating the complaint filed by a father of a 17-year-old boy who allegedly sustained injuries after being assaulted by police officers manning an alleged checkpoint without proper signage in Baliwag, Bulacan.
In a press release Friday, November 13, the NAPOLCOM said the boy sustained a fractured arm after being struck with a rifle by police officers last October 31. The boy’s father formally filed an administrative complaint before the agency, seeking accountability for the alleged assault and failure of the responding officers to ensure that his son received proper medical attention.
The complaint states that the 17-year-old was driving a motorcycle with a companion as a passenger along the Bypass Road in Baliwag-Pulilan when they passed by two police officers standing along the road.
“After another motorcycle ahead of them passed without being stopped, his son also continued driving without stopping but was allegedly struck by the police officer with a long firearm. Fearing for their safety, they fled but were eventually intercepted by police officers in an alley and brought to the police station, where their motorcycle was ticketed for impoundment,” the NAPOLCOM noted.
Based on the document filed, the son was initially examined by a policewoman at the station, dismissing the injury as mere bruising. The father then rushed his son to the hospital, where it was revealed that the latter sustained a fracture in his arm.
The complaint initially sought assistance from the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS), but was later withdrawn and formally filed before the NAPOLCOM instead.
According to the father, the injury resulted in his son’s absence from school for two weeks. Subsequently, the father was also unable to work during the said period.
“Malinaw naman ang pasa sa kamay ng bata. Even at first glance, that was not an ordinary bruise. That should have prompted an immediate medical examination and medico-legal documentation. Kung sa ordinaryong proseso ay kailangang ipasuri ang isang taong nasugatan, lalo na dapat nating tiyakin ang kalagayan ng isang bata. There is something here that needs to be looked into,” NAPOLCOM Commission Ralph Calinisan said.
“Assuming na kailangan natin siyang pigilan dahil tumakas siya sa checkpoint, was the force used reasonable? Was it justified to strike a minor with a firearm just to make him stop? I don't think so. Dito tututok ang imbestigasyon na ito, at siguradong mananagot ang dapat managot,” he added.
Established checkpoints must be clearly marked, properly supervised by an located and located in a well-lit and visible area, Calinisan furthered.
Although investigation is still ongoing, Calinisan identified four areas of possible accountability: the supervision and legitimacy of the checkpoint, the use of force against the minor, the handling and investigation of the incident at the police station, and the possible command responsibility of the officers' superiors.
NAPOLCOM is also working to establish the identities of the officers involved.
“We may already have an idea who they are, but I will not mention any names until I have the official documents before me,” he said.
“Hihimayin natin ito hanggang magtanda ang lahat ng pulis na bawal ang pang-aabuso sa kanilang serbisyo,” he continued.
