3 EPD cops beaten up by Muslim vendors

MANILA, Philippines - Three policemen from the Eastern Police District were hurt when at least 50 Muslim vendors ganged up on them at the height of the anti-piracy drive in Mandaluyong City Tuesday.

SPO2 Richard Ibao, the team leader of the raiders, sustained a big gash in the left eyebrow which requires 10 stitches to close, while PO3 Eisenlee Pascual and PO2 Joselito Jimenez sustained body injuries.

Four of the suspects were identified as Andy Mauna, Jonathan Macabagoy, Johairah Baguan Sultan and Samy Latip, all vendors in the said area. They remain at large.

Ibao led an eight-man team to conduct raid at the DVD vendors at the Parklea Center along EDSA Crossing in Mandaluyong City at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

EPD director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said his men were out to confiscate pornographic DVDs which was rampantly sold in the area. When they saw the policemen arriving in the area, the vendors started clapping their hands and shouted words in their native dialect, apparently to alert their fellow vendors of the impending raid. Minutes later, hard objects and bottles rained on the raiding policemen and Ibao was hit in the left eyebrow.

Witnesses said at least 50 vendors gathered in the area and ganged up on the policemen, who were saved from further harm by the arrival of their police companions. Pascual also lost his two cellular phones and wallet containing PNP identification ATM and cash amounting to P10,000.

After the vendors fled, the raiders pushed through with the raid and confiscated a sack and bags full of pornographic DVDs. Mantele ordered the filing of appropriate charges against the suspects.