Doctor nabbed for ‘defaming’ police in check-up point

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A doctor was arrested after he allegedly defamed a police officer in a check-up point along Lacson Street in Barangay Bata here on Saturday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), identified the suspect as Dr. Exmundo Howell, 44, of Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Pico said that the physician’s vehicle was flagged down by Police Staff Master Sergeant Raymund Solilapsi, to check his quarantine pass and Identification card, but he reportedly introduced himself as a doctor.

Howell then told the police that he will enter the city to have his bike repaired.

When he was supposed to be allowed to enter, a policewoman allegedly heard him say, “Kagago nga pulis ho (Stupid police).”

Pico said Howell was then barred to proceed and was held in custody at Police Station 3.

He was released from police custody after the lapse of his reglementary detention period.

Pico said that the doctor should have not entered the border for the said reason because of stringent measures of the authorities in the fight against COVID-19.

“Under the ECQ, you can just go out to buy necessities like food, and for an emergency reason,” he added.

Pico said will be charged for oral defamation in relation to disobedience to a person in authority while the city is under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Meanwhile, Pico said that a total of 99 curfew violators were arrested as of April 4.

Barangay 2 has the highest number of violators with 29, followed by Barangay 14 with 13, nine each in Barangays 16, Banago, Sum-ag, and Singcang-Airport, four each in Barangays Villamonte and Tangub, three each in Barangays 12, Pahanocoy, and Granada, two in Barangay Estefania, and one each in Barangays 8 and 35.