Bus driver, conductor charged for beating up cop

MANILA, Philippines - A bus driver and a conductor were charged for allegedly attacking a Pasay police officer who boarded their vehicle shortly before dawn Friday, an official said yesterday.

Frustrated homicide and robbery charges were filed against Fermina Express bus driver Nelson Gazzingan, 42, and conductor Angelito Dayanan, 37, for the attack on Senior Inspector Fernando Ferrer, 51, according to Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte.

Ferrer, assigned to the Pasay police’s special operation unit, was on his way home when he boarded the bus in front of a hotel at the corner of EDSA and Roxas Boulevard at past 3 a.m. Friday.

When the bus reached Taft Avenue, Ferrer noticed the conductor arguing with one of the passengers. When he tried to intervene, Dayanan and the driver reportedly beat him.

Villacorte said Ferrer was able to jump out through the window and seek police assistance.

Ferrer lost his bag, which contained his uniform and P3,000. Only his service firearm was recovered by responding police officers.