Eleazar: PO1 Valencia did not say rape is normal for cops

MANILA, Philippines — Director Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region police chief, clarified that the rookie cop accused of raping the daughter of drug suspects used the alibi of how it was "normal" for those apprehended to hit back with counter-charges against arresting cops.

Eleazar told Philstar.com in a phone interview that Police Officer 1 Eduardo Valencia did not say that it was "normal" for cops to rape, but that it was “normal” for officers to be accused of crimes by those they arrest.

Valencia was quoted in reports as saying: “Sir, may pamilya po ako. Sir, hindi na po bago sa’ting mga operatiba ‘yung gano’n kapag may nahuhuli tayong drug pusher.”

(Sir, I have a family. Sir, this isn't something new for our operatives when we arrest a drug pusher)

Eleazar was seen in news videos berating the rookie cop while Valencia was speaking with his hands covering his mouth.

A tweet quoting PO1 Valencia quickly went viral on Sunday night, and prompted angry comments against the police on social media.

READ: Cop nabbed for rape of girl, 15

The police director added that it was clear that Valencia was just using that as an excuse to wiggle out of the accusation against him.

Eleazar told Valencia it was the victim herself who had accused him and a medical examination showed there was a laceration on the girl’s private parts, which indicate that she was sexually abused.

RELATED: Women’s groups call for justice in alleged rape of drug suspects' teen daughter

Earlier on Monday, Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP police chief, said that Valencia is now under investigation.

He also said that “no mercy” shall be given if Valencia is proven guilty of raping the 15-year-old victim.

“And we want to assure the public that we will show no mercy sa mga pulis na ganito, if siya ay mapatunayan na guilty diyan both admin at criminally will be charged,” Albayalde added.

(And we want to assure the public that we will show no mercy to police like him, if it would be proven that he is guilty, he will face both administrative and criminal charges.) — Kristine Joy Patag