Ombudsman intervenes in 'police brutality video' mess

The Office of the Ombudsman has intervened in the "Asuncion police torture video" case by forming a task force to determine the criminal liabilities of the law enforcers allegedly involved in the incident. A statement issued on Thursday said Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has designated Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III as the head of the fact-finding committee probing the incident that reportedly happened at a community precinct in Tondo, Manila. Gonzalez, also the deputy ombudsman for Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO), is required to submit a report and recommendation after completing the investigation. The day before the Ombudsman issued the directive, three investigations were ordered by the National Police Commission (Napolcom), Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights. (See: Govt creates 3 bodies to probe 'police torture') In a related development, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is already preparing criminal and administrative charges against Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug, chief of the Asuncion police community precinct, where the "torture" was reported to have happened. NCRPO chief Director Leocadio Santiago was quoted in a radio dzBB report as saying that the police would be lodging the charges even if the family of the victim does not file a formal complaint. Santiago said the cellphone video itself could be used an evidence during the trial. However, he admitted that their case against Binayug would be stronger if the relatives would come out. The NCRPO chief urged policemen under Binayug to share what they know about the incident or they could allegedly be included as suspects in the case. Binayug and all of his subordinates at the community precinct have been relieved as the Napolcom, the body tasked to probe police anomalies and irregularities, investigates the matter. The video shows a man, believed to be a policeman, hitting a naked man on the floor. The supposed "abuser" could also be seen in the video as pulling a string attached to body of the naked man, who kept twitching in pain. — RSJ/VVP, GMANews.TV