Malacañang assured the public that it will not turn ignore the reported violations of police officers amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country. Presidential Spokesperson made this statement in response to the alleged mauling of a quarantine violator in Cavite on May 12.
Roque said that the Palace will directly order the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Archie Gamboa to investigate the incident involving cops in Cavite.
“Paimbestigahan po natin iyan. Tatawagan natin mismo si PNP chief Gamboa at titignan po natin kung ano ang nangyari diyan (We will have that investigated. We will call PNP chief Gamboa and ask him to look into it),” Roque assured the public.
This incident involved a 33-year-old factory worker who was supposedly beaten up by police officers in General Trias, Cavite. Photos of Ronald Ocampo looking black and blue from the sustained injuries quickly circulated over the internet, prompting netizens to call for accountability and proper measures against the alleged perpetrators. According to Ocampo’s brother, he was arrested for having violated quarantine protocols in the province.
Roque ensured that the government will not turn a blind eye on violations committed by the police force.
“Alam niyo naman po, sa ating gobyerno, no one is above the law. Kung talagang may lumabag sa batas, meron naman pong imbestigasyon, paglilitis, at pagpaparusa (You know, in our government, no one is above the law. If someone violates the law, he will be investigated and punished),” he added.
When asked about the recent arrest of Reynaldo Orcullo, a salesman in Nisipit, Agusan del Norte who allegedly cursed at the president in a social media post, Roque reiterated that it is the authorities who will decide the fate of these ‘lawbreakers’.
