Police Brig. Gen. Clifford Gairanod has relinquished his post as director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) over a viral video that showed one of his officers hitting a trainee during a graduation rites of the Executive Motorcycle Riding Course in Sariaya, Quezon over the weekend.
But before quitting his post, Gairanod sacked the training officer and the rest of the training staff pending the result of the investigation.
Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said Gairanod voluntarily quit his post as a way of owning up to the incident which resulted in the netizens bashing the police organization.
“I welcome the professional and gentlemanly gesture of Police Brigadier General Gairanod and his immediate action on the matter,” said Azurin.
“He is a good officer and has been effectively and efficiently serving the country as the Director of HPG,” he added.
Azurin said Gairanod will be reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP and will be replaced by Police Col. Jay Cumigad.
In the video, the trainee was shown being asked to kneel before he was repeatedly hit by a training officer. The incident happened in front of other trainees and trainers.
The incident appeared to be part of the tradition during the graduation ceremony but it did not sit well with those who watched the video.
PNP chief information officer Police Col. Redrico Maranan said Azurin also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
“Police General Azurin likewise swiftly ordered the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to conduct their investigation and determine possible violations committed by the training staff who were directly involved in the said incident,” said Maranan.
Maranan reminded all policemen to religiously abide with the PNP policies and guidelines and strict adherence to the rule of law in all its dealings, to include the conduct of different trainings.
“The PNP also reminded its personnel to be circumspect in all their actions within and outside the bounds of their official functions. It will not tolerate any misconduct committed by its members,” said Maranan.