PNP sacks 3 cops caught beating up man in video

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday relieved three policemen caught physically abusing a civilian in a viral video.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo identified the relieved cops as Police Officers 2 Richelle Antonio, Gerardo Bermudez and Fernando Acosta based in Paniqui, Tarlac.

(Related story: PNP probes 'brutality' in viral video)

In the 39-second video, the three policemen are seen beating up an unarmed man.

Cerbo said that Antonio, Bermudez and Acosta have been placed under restricted custody while further investigations are still ongoing.

In the video uploaded on a Facebook page on Sunday, the civilian is seen arguing with unidentified policemen in a crowded street until the discussion heated up and he got cornered by the three law enforcers.

One of the police officers pushed the civilian with a kick, while another followed up the offense with a series of blows even when the victim was already down on the floor.

Several onlookers are also seen in the video including a young boy.

The Tarlac police said in a separate report that the three cops were trying to arrest the man for his alleged physical injury offenses.

The arrest, however, should not have been carried out in a violent manner, Cerbo said.

As of Monday afternoon, the video post by a Facebook fan page called "Like a BOSS" has earned 7,150 shares in the social network.

Users angrily commented on the video, expressing their disappointment with police.

"Mahina siguro ang kotong kaya mainitin ang ulo. Tanggal kayo ngayon sa serbisyo! Dapat makarating sa (National Police Commission) 'yan!" Facebook user Shinjiro Matangob said.

Sean Lusaya Torre, having viewed the video, also said that even if the man was a criminal, the police should treat and apprehend him "in the right way" without resorting to violence.

"Kahit na holdapper 'yan, dapat posas ang katapat, kaya nga may presinto e, at least doon siya maghihirap," Torre posted.

YouTube user Jenard Mercado backed up the said video in the sharing site as seen above.