Retired general’s son facing direct assault charges for slapping cop

A son of retired police Gen. Eduardo Matillano is facing direct assault charges after slapping a policeman involved in a traffic accident in Pasig City.

The victim, SPO1 Gerono Destajo, 42, of Barangay Damayan Lagi, Quezon City and assigned at the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) in Camp Crame, filed charges against Bruce Matillano, 32, before the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) of the Eastern Police District (EPD).

Destajo said he was driving his Toyota Revo along Meralco Ave. at around 11:45 p.m. last Feb. 19, when a Mercedes Benz car with license plate PLY-196 driven by Beejay Punzalan bumped his car from behind.

While the two were waiting for a traffic policeman to investigate the incident, Punzalan reportedly called Matillano through his cellphone and the latter arrived at the scene minutes later.

Matillanao reportedly confronted Destajo and shouted, "Sino ka? Anak ako ni CIDG director, pulis din ako (Who are you? I’m the son of the CIDG director. I’m also a police officer)."

While explaining his side to a traffic policeman, Destajo said Matillano took out a gun, pointed it at him and slapped him. Matillano’s companion, he added, kicked him in the back.

Destajo lodged a formal complaint against Matillano.

The Star tried but failed to reach the general’s son for comment on the charges against him.

The elder Matillano was replaced as CIDG director years back by now Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao because of alleged involvement in jueteng payola. He was transferred to the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) before he retired last year. — Non Alquitran