Cop in viral slapping video relieved

MANILA - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar ordered on Thursday, July 26, the relief of a police officer who slapped a bus driver over a traffic altercation.

Police Officer 1 Edmar Costo, who was assigned at the Paranaque City Police Community Precinct 1, was relieved after he was shown slapping Valisno Express bus driver Joel Mametis in a video that went viral on social media.

Southern Police District (SPD) director Tomas Apolinario said based on initial investigation, Costo was directing traffic at Roxas Boulevard corner Redemptorist Street in Baclaran on Wednesday afternoon when he cautioned the bus driver against blocking traffic flow.

He then asked Mametis for his driver's license. Mametis, however, refused to give his license and even cursed and tried to bribe Costo.

Costo then boarded the bus and slapped Mametis twice.

The embattled police officer faced Eleazar and Apolinario on Thursday and admitted that it was him in the viral video.

“Hindi ninyo dapat pinapairal ang init ng ulo ninyo (You should manage your anger),” Eleazar told Costo.

Apolinario said they were trying to locate Mametis so they can file charges of simple misconduct and slight physical injury against Costo.

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