Cop in hot water for ‘mauling’ minor

The Cebu Police Provincial Police Office (CPPO) is conducting an investigation against a police officer of Tabogon, Cebu after he reportedly mauled a minor in Barangay Muabog on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Police Officer 1 Epifanio Comedido, Tabogon police chief investigator, was allegedly caught on video mauling a 16-year-old minor.

The video went viral on Facebook after it was posted by a concerned citizen.

CPPO Director Senior Superintendent Manuel Abrugena said that they will hold a hearing where the complainant and the police officer can air their side of the incident.

“Both ang complainant (minor) at nang ating police, we will be hearing their side because ayaw naman natin na hindi natin marinig ang side ng ating kapulisan at sa iyung nagrereklamo. Sa atin is maging fair and just po,” said Abrugena.

Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Licayan, investigator of the case, previously said that Comedido was on off duty during the incident.

Allegedly, Comedido and his family came from an outing and on their way home, one of his relatives was hit by a motorcycle.

Comedido helped the victim who lost consciousness and ordered the people around to stop passing vehicles while he was helping the victim.

However, the minor who was driving a motorcycle allegedly did not slow down.

Comedido told the minor to stop and asked for his driver’s license.

When the minor failed to produce a license, Comedido allegedly punched him.

The minor reported the incident to the police and it was reflected in the blotter that while he was driving his motorcycle, Comedido suddenly stopped him and without apparent reason, punched him several times in his lip, both side of his face and stomach.

In the video, it can be seen that people in the area tried to stop Comedido but the latter continued punching the minor.

Abrugena said that Comedido was already assigned at CPPO while the investigation is still ongoing. His service firearm was also confiscated.