Negros Island cop relieved for inaction in bottle-throwing incident in Iloilo City
BACOLOD CITY – A 49-year-old police commissioned officer from the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) was relieved from his post on Monday, Aug. 4, following a viral video showing his alleged failure to act on a bottle-throwing incident involving his two companions in Barangay Punong, Lapuz, Iloilo City.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said the officer, with a rank of police lieutenant, as moved to the Regional Personnel Holding Administrative Unit (RPHAU) from the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division based here.
Malong said the officer has been disarmed to ensure that proper precautionary measures are in place while the case is being thoroughly investigation.
A formal investigation has been launched by the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division and appropriate disciplinary mechanisms are being pursued in accordance with the rules and regulations of the police organization.
Malong said the regional office’s move was based on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage that went viral recently, but they have yet to receive an official complaint from those people, who were reportedly alarmed by the incident. She added that they are still gathering more details.
One of the three persons was captured throwing a bottle while in an alleged drinking session. However, Malong said they cannot determine if the officer was also intoxicated at that time.
Upon review and verification of the incident, immediate actions were taken by the regional office to uphold accountability and reinforce their commitment to public trust and professional conduct.
Malong said that the officer allegedly failed to take appropriate action during the alleged commission of a crime that occurred in his presence. “It may be considered neglect of duty,” she said, adding that the behavior of one of the officer’s companions may have created disturbance in the neighborhood.
In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, stressed that they do not condone any act of neglect or failure to perform duty, especially in situations where police presence is critical to public safety.
“The actions of one should not overshadow the commitment of the many dedicated and courageous officers in our ranks, but accountability must always prevail,” he said, adding that the regional police force is taking this matter with utmost seriousness.
He assured the public that this matter is being addressed with urgency, transparency, and fairness.
“Let this serve as a reminder to all police personnel that the badge we wear is not just a symbol of authority, but a daily call to courage, vigilance, and responsibility,” Ibay said.