Cop sues foreigner over Makati scuffle

A police officer yesterday filed a slew of charges against a foreigner who allegedly violated the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine and resisted arrest in Makati City on Sunday.

Senior M/Sgt. Roland Madrona filed charges of direct assault, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority and unjust vexation as well as violating Republic Act 11332, the law on the reporting of communicable diseases, and a city ordinance penalizing the failure to wear a face mask in public places against Spaniard Javier Salvador Parra before the city prosecutor’s office, according to a copy of the complaint provided by Makati police chief Col. Rogelio Simon.

Madrona, together with a barangay watchman, approached Parra’s housemaid, Cherlyn Escalate, who was watering plants outside their house in Dasmariñas Village without a face mask.

A visibly irked Parra, who was reportedly drunk, hurled insults at Madrona, who in turn tackled Parra and attempted to cuff him while in the foreigner’s property.

Simon told reporters they are verifying if Salvador was indeed overstaying in the country.

Año, PNP air support

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Madrona did “everything by the book” when he tried to arrest Parra. “I will defend him. He did his job well and

ipaglalaban ko ‘yan (I will fight for him),” he said in an interview over ANC.

As far as Año is concerned, there was no trespassing when Madrona pursued Parra within his property as the foreigner had committed several crimes.

“That is not actually a sanctuary if you committed a crime. The policeman can pursue you,” he said.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said barangay officials were forced to seek police assistance because some residents were not following quarantine measures.

He also said they are supporting Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s call for the Bureau of Immigration to initiate deportation proceedings against Parra.

1-Pacman party-list Rep. Enrico Pineda echoed the same call.