Rookie cop faces raps for threatening tanod

MANILA, Philippines -  A policeman faces criminal charges for pointing his gun at and threatening a barangay tanod who flagged him down as he was driving a motorcycle because his back rider was not wearing a helmet in Mandaluyong City Saturday night.

Police Officer 1 Juanito Malabarbas, 25, was charged with grave threats, assault upon an agent in authority and driving without a license before the Mandalu­yong City prosecutor’s office by Jonathan Ola, 42, a tanod of Barangay Mauway. Malabarbas is assigned at the Regional Public Safety Battalion of the National Capital Region Police Office.

Inspector Jaime Masilang said when Ola told Malabarbas he violated a local law on helmet use, the policeman allegedly grabbed his gun and pointed it at the ta­nod. Ola sought the help of barangay chairman Lito Gahol, who ordered Malabarbas disarmed and placed under arrest.

At the police headquarters, Malabarbas denied Ola’s allegation. He said he pulled out his handgun from his motorcycle and tucked it into his waistband because Ola was with three other barangay tanods when he was accosted.