Two cops face probe for ‘punching’ kagawad, civilian

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Two police officers assigned to Dumarao Municipal Police Station in Capiz are under investigation for allegedly punching a barangay kagawad or village council member and a civilian on July 2, 2022 in front of the town’s police station.

Police Col. Winston De Belen, Capiz police director, ordered the investigation of PSSgt. Arnel Bucsit, Dumarao police investigator; and PSSgt. Antolin Sumatra.

The two officers were also disarmed and placed under restrictive custody at Dumarao police station while the investigation is conducted by the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Unit (PIAMU).

The probe pertains to the incident involving Brgy. Kagawad Jonel Ponsalan, 30, of Brgy. Sibariwan and Anthony Bajada, 42, also of the said barangay.

Buscit allegedly punched and slapped Bajada on the face upon arrival at the police station.

When Ponsalan came in to check what was going on, the cop also allegedly punched him.

The fracas stopped through the intervention of other police officers.

Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) chief Colonel Erwin Margarejo said he was saddened of the misbehavior of Bucsit and Sumatra showing disrespect to their uniform.

“Nakakalungkot ang ginawa nila. Hindi man lang nila nirerespeto ang kanilang uniporme,” Margarejo said.

He said the two will be administratively charged based on the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Memorandum Circular 2016-002.

He said they could be charged for neglect of duty because they were on duty when they attended an occasion at Barangay Sibariwan and drank liquor.

They could also be charged for insubordination for violating the order prohibiting police officers from drinking liquor in public places while in uniform, and grave misconduct for punching the two persons.

If the allegations are proven true, the two officers could be dismissed from the service, Margarejo added.

The two police officer refused to comment to the media.