CEBU CITY – A policeman in Bohol province who was previously demoted for drunken behavior found himself in hot water anew.
Police Corporal Marcelo Olaer, an operative of the Guindulman Police Station, was accused of assaulting an American on Monday afternoon, Aug. 11.
A HANDCUFFED Police Corporal Marcelo Olaer is investigated by now retired Police Brig. Gen. Jonathan Cabal after he was accused of indiscriminate firing in this 2020 file photo.
Based on a Facebok post by complainant, Kenny Foster, the confrontation happened outside a public market in Guindulman.
Foster said the policeman ordered him to move his motorcycle aside. The American obliged but as he was trying to move his motorcycle, the policeman allegedly shoved him.
He saw the policeman grab his service firearm tucked in his waist.
Foster added that Olaer berated him and kicked his motorcycle. The American added that the policeman tried to assault his wife who was carrying their child.
The American said he pacified the policeman to protect his wife but Olaer punched him in the body instead.
The American decided to call the 911 hotline for help.
"I called 911. A couple of cops came over. Removed him from the situation,” said Foster.
The American reported the incident at the Guindulman Police Station.
Police Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, information officer of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), said the chief of the Guindulman police has been instructed to secure the affidavit of Forster for the filing of criminal and administrative charges against the policeman.
A separate investigation will be conducted by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit of BPPO, Nuez said.
Nuez disclosed that it was not the first time that Olaer was accused of causing trouble.
In 2020, Olaer was administratively charged when he was accused of indiscriminate firing while drunk.
The offense resulted in the suspension of Olaer and a demotion from police master sergeant to corporal.
Nuez described Olaer as a kind person but would become rowdy when drunk.
Olaer has been disarmed and could be placed under camp restriction while the investigation against him is ongoing, Nuez said.