2 policemen relieved over catcalling
Two police officers accused of catcalling a woman who was walking on her way home in Quezon City last week have been charged and relieved from their posts, the Quezon City Police said Thursday.
In a press conference, Quezon City Police District director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar identified the two policemen as PO2 Rick Lopez Tanguilan and PO1 Domingo Nagales Cena of Project 8 Police Station (PS-8).
The two rookie cops, whose photos were shown to the media, were charged with violation of City Ordinance 2501 or the City Gender and Development Code which penalizes catcalling. They can be fined with up to ₱5,000 or a month in jail.
They will also face administrative proceedings for conduct unbecoming of a police officer with a minimum penalty of 60-day suspension and a maximum of dismissal from the service.
“We cannot tolerate such behavior, which is why we are subjecting the suspects to criminal actions and administrative proceedings,” Eleazar said.
Last week, complainant “Carmela” was walking on her way home along Katipunan Avenue around 10:30 p.m. when the two officers onboard a slow-moving police mobile hurled catcalls at her.
The 21-year-old woman shared the incident through a social media post. She said that because of fear, she was not able to take photos of the patrol car.
After her post went viral, Eleazar said that the QCPD launched an investigation on the incident to identify the officers involved.
Meanwhile, SPO1 Ariel Camiling, shift patrol supervisor of PS-8, will also be charged with dishonesty for misleading the investigation.
Camiling claimed that he was the one in the mobile car instead of PO1 Cena and that they were never in the area during the time of the said catcalling incident.
The police officers were re-assigned to the District Headquarters Support Unit.
Eleazar said it is a “landmark case” in the city.
“We are really focusing on this case. What we are trying to change here is the cultural mindset of men toward women,” Eleazar added.
“Acts like this, catcalling and making offensive facial and body gestures or pambabastos have no place or time here in QCPD. Instead, we want to be the protectors of the residents, the administrators of peace and order in the city.”