2 HPG cops beat up MMDA enforcer

MANILA, Philippines - A squabble over a confiscated driver’s license turned ugly when two Highway Patrol Group (HPG) police officers allegedly beat up their partner – a traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) – Tuesday night.

Leon Trinidad reported that a certain Senior Inspector Maranion and a subordinate, whom he failed to identify, allegedly beat him up after he failed to produce the driver’s license of Mark Nicolas, according to Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations.

In his report, Trinidad said HPG personnel fetched him from the Quezon Avenue U-turn slot and brought him to the Quezon Avenue flyover to serve as a messenger for driver’s licenses confiscated from apprehended motorists.

Trinidad alleged that at around 8:30 p.m., Nicolas approached him and asked for his confiscated driver’s license, saying it was confiscated by an HPG officer. He told Nicolas that his driver’s license is not with him.   

Trinidad said Nicolas then left and allegedly sought the assistance of HPG personnel. He said Maranion and his companion then arrived at the scene and demanded that he produce Nicolas’ driver’s license.

When Trinidad said he did not have Nicolas’ license, Maranion’s companion allegedly hit him in the chest with a motorcycle helmet. 

Trinidad said Maranion allegedly kicked his legs and hit him with a handheld radio as Nicolas watched.

After the police officers beat him, Trinidad said Maranion took his MMDA identification card and left the area.

Carlos said the MMDA has referred the incident to the agency’s legal department for appropriate action against the HPG police officers.  

“We will not let this thing happen to our people who are merely doing their jobs,” Carlos said.

Meanwhile, HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao identified those involved in the incident as Senior Inspector Joel Maranion and Senior Police Officer 2 Norman Interino.

Gunnacao said the two policemen have been recalled from their post and ordered back to the HPG headquarters in Camp Crame.

He added that the MMDA has also filed an administrative complaint with the HPG against the two police officers.