Cops recount Billy Crawford's alleged mischief
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED, 6:22 p.m.) — Two female members of the Taguig City Police, who encountered an allegedly drunk television host Billy Joe Crawford early Sunday morning, formally filed multiple complaints Monday before the Taguig City Prosecutors Office.
Crawford, a co-host of noontime variety program "It's Showtime," faces possible charges of alarm and scandal, direct assault, malicious mischief, direct assault and disobedience to an agent of person in authority.
Inquest prosecutor Arthur Pefianco, however, said the complaints of direct assault and alarm and scandal were dismissed during the inquest investigation as the incident did not happen in a public place and that Crawford did not seriously resisted the police officers in such a manner that he intended to defy the law.
In their complaint, 29-year-old PO1 Rodelma Canao and PO1 28-year-old Jasmine Zipagan said Crawford, 32, a resident of Batasan Hills, Quezon City, arrived at about 4:30 am at the Police Community Precinct (PCP) 7 where they were manning the police assistance desk. PCP-7 is located at the Fort Strip inside the Bonifacio Global City.
Pefianco said bail for Crawford’s temporary liberty was set by the Metropolitan Trial Court of Taguig at P2,000 for each count.
The two policewomen said Crawford arrived at the police station "under the influence of liquor." Canao said she greeted Crawford in a "courteous manner" when Crawford allegedly shouted "Bring me to your headquarters! I want to go to your headquarters not here!"
Canao said she tried to pacify Crawford but the TV host allegedly told her that if he is not brought to the Taguig Police headquarters within five seconds, he would start damaging the precinct.
Canao said she and Zipagan again tried to pacify Crawford but he pushed them away. He then punched the sliding glass door of the precinct causing it to shatter, the policewomen claimed.
After damaging the sliding glass door, Crawford–still shouting–then went inside the precinct and scattered documents placed on a table.
Again, Canao said she and Zipagan tried to pacify Crawford but they were overpowered. It was at this point that PO2 Anthony Llagas and PO1 Francis Nicholas arrived at the precinct aboard a patrol car and saw the commotion.
According to the complaint, Llagas and Nicholas tried to pacify Crawford who allegedly continued to run amok. Llagas and Nicholas then arrested Crawford.
Initial reports said Crawford arrived at the PCP-7 and demanded to be detained.
An apologetic Crawford later told reporters that he was indeed under the influence of liquor when he asked the police to hold him because, according to him, he was stressed and wanted to be in a "controlled environment."
Insp. Jonathan Aribe, PCP-7 commander said Crawford slammed his body against the glass door of the precinct, causing it to break.
"It was my fault but I did not hurt anybody. I did not push anyone. I did not hurt anyone but the glass," an apologetic Crawford told reporters earlier.
"It was my fault for actually being aggressive. It's a good thing it didn't happen in a bar, it didn't happen anywhere else. It happened in a precinct. The reason why is because I knew for a fact I needed to be in a controlled environment. So as I said, I really apologize to the officers if I said anything derogatory or anything else," Crawford added.
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