DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday, January 31, ordered to probe the alleged local cop’s involvement in the mauling of three minors in the city.
In a statement, Duterte-Carpio directed the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to lead the investigation.
This came after the mayor learned of the incident through her fellow lawyer early this week, of which she said was “quite surprising.”
“We are confident that Davao City policemen know by heart their obligation to uphold the rights of all people, especially those who have less in life and the most vulnerable,” the Mayor said.
She also demanded that sanctions be applied if violations were proven in the probe.
Duterte mentioned that while the city takes pride in the fact that they do not cut corners in lowering crime incidence in the city, she expects that the DCPO will make it right for the complaints.
“I have ordered Davao City Police Director Alexander Tagum to conduct an investigation on this allegation and mete out the appropriate sanction if the policemen involved are found to have violated rules on apprehension,” Duterte said.
The mayor also stressed that “minors committing crimes should be taken into custody, but force should not be used unless police authority is ignored or lives are in danger because of the actions of the minors.”
Police Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan, spokesperson of the DCPO, said that the incident happened at about 1:15 a.m. of January 21.
At the time, Gaspan said the police officers were out to rescue the minors who were involved in a riot and were violating the curfew hours.
“These minors were involved in a riot and they were rescued by our police in the barangay hall of Barangay 19-B Garcia Heights,” Gaspan said.
She cited that this is the first time that a cop was accused of a mauling incident and pointed that the police here in the city are “disciplined.” (davaotoday.com)
