6 MPD cops relieved following viral video of encounter with robbery suspect
Six members of the Manila Police District (MPD) were administratively relieved from their posts on Tuesday, Jan. 16, following a viral video showing them shooting a robbery suspect in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Jan. 12.

According to the report, the police officers responded when suspect Felix Babon attempted to rob a jeepney driver inside the vehicle.
In the video clip, policemen were seen holding shields and batons while trying to disarm the suspect who was resisting arrest.
The suspect attacked one police officer with his knife, prompting the other officer to shoot him in the leg to prevent him from attacking other lawmen and to secure the safety of other people in the area.
The video drew several reactions from netizens who were dismayed at the officer who fired his gun in a public area.
Some netizens also noticed the police officers' lack of strategy in arresting the suspect.
“Bilib ka na ba sa kapulisan natin? Nakorner na sa jeep, nakatakas pa. Saka pa lang nagkaputukan sa mataong lugar, buti na lang walang sibilyan na nadamay..galing di ba? (Are you amazed by our police force? They have already cornered the suspect inside the jeepney, yet the suspect still managed to escape. They opened fire when they were in a crowded area, and fortunately no civilians were hurt,” one netizen commented.
“My goodness, ilang pulis meron d'yan, napakahina ng strategy nila to catch him fast.. mabagal, natakbuhan pa sila (look how many policemen are there, yet their strategy to catch him fast is very weak, the suspect almost escaped from them),” another netizen said.
MPD chief Lt. Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay said that the relieved officers were detailed at MPD-Sta. Mesa Police Station (PS-8).
Ibay said they will conduct an investigation to determine if the policemen involved had violated the police operational procedures during their response to the robbery incident.
He added that the policemen will return to their posts once proven that they had not violated any rules in police operation.
Read more: https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/13/robbery-suspect-hurt-arrested-after-trying-to-rob-puj-driver