By Aaron Recuenco
Anger triggered by a petty traffic altercation has placed the police career of three brothers into high risk after they all went to the house of a motorist in Caloocan City for a confrontation.
Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao (PNP / MANILA BULLETIN)
The alleged "toughie" attitude of the three brothers during the confrontation was captured in videos taken by the victims and some of their neighbors and immediately went viral when they were uploaded in a popular social media platform Facebook.
The bad news is that the viral video was seen by some police officials who included Director General Oscar Albayalde who happens to be their boss, being the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
As a result, Albayalde ordered yesterday the relief of the three policemen identified as Police Officer 3 Ralph Soriano, assigned to the Northern Police District; PO1 Rendel Soriano, of the Caloocan City Police; and PO1 Reniel Soriano, of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group. The three cops are brothers.
“The Chief PNP ordered their immediate relief after their video went viral on the social media confronting a man at his residence after a traffic altercation,” said Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, PNP spokesman.
The incident was triggered by a road accident wherein the car of victim Ricardo Malaya allegedly grazed the vehicle of one of the policemen, PO1 Reniel Soriano.
Soriano reportedly called up his two brothers and they all went to the house of Malaya to confront him over the accident.
In the viral video, relatives of the victim were seen questioning the policemen for taking their guns with them when there is an existing nationwide gun ban.
The rule for carrying firearms states that policemen can only bring their guns if they are on duty and in proper uniform. The same rule applies for soldiers and security guards.
Bulalacao said that since Albayalde is known to be a strict disciplinarian, the latter appears to be displeased upon learning of the behavior of the Soriano brothers.
“Police Director General Oscar Albayalde reiterated that police officers must always showcase discipline and should conduct themselves properly all the time,” said Bulalacao.
The bad news for the three police brothers, however, did not end on their relief as charges would also be slapped against them.
Bulalacao said that the chief of the Caloocan City police, Senior Supt. Restituto Arcangel, has already initiated an investigation against the three cops.
Among the charges that would be filed are grave threat, grave oral defamation and alarm and scandal and violation of the Omnibus Election Code for bearing arms while not in uniform.
Separate administrative charges are also likely to be filed against the three cops wherein the maximum penalty is dismissal from the service.