Iloilo lawmaker apologizes for attacking cop

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo first district Rep. Oscar Garin Jr. has apologized for an incident wherein he and his father beat up Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya of the Guimbal police.

“I reiterate my apologies for my actions, which I take full responsibility for,” Garin, whose wife Janette is the former health secretary, said.

He said he and his father  Guimbal town Mayor Richard Garin Sr. were “just frustrated”  that Macaya was behind the affidavit of desistance filed against a suspect who hurt a minor at the town plaza on Dec. 22.

“My actions were not directed to the PNP (Philippine National Police) as an institution or against its officers and personnel. My actions were a mere display of extreme frustration,” the lawmaker said.

He  accused Macaya of committing a “great disservice to the people of Guimbal,” noting that the suspect  is a “habitual delinquent” and has a pending murder case.

The congressman said Macaya betrayed public trust when he asked the victim not to file charges against the suspect.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police director, said Garin also called him to apologize.

“He apologized for what he has done against my personnel. I accepted his apology, but I could not bear how he degraded and humiliated our uniform and profession,” Bulalacao said.

He said they would continue with the investigation into the incident despite the apology.