Ex-cop in torture video arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Dismissed policeman Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug, wanted for torturing an alleged snatcher in a police precinct in Tondo, Manila in 2010, was arrested while renewing his driver’s license at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Manila yesterday.

Binayug was collared by elements of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (IG) led by Senior Superintendent Allen Bantolo, said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr.

Cerbo said IG agents served the warrant against Binayug while he was at the LTO office in Manila.

“Binayug is now with the IG office, but he will be presented to the court that issued the warrant as part of legal procedure,” he added.

On Nov. 3, 2011, Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Tita Bughao Alisuag  issued a warrant for the arrest of Binayug, Inspector Rogelio Rosales Jr., SPO3 Joaquin de Guzman, SPO1 Rodolfo Ong Jr., SPO1 Dante Bautista, PO1 Nonito Binayug, PO1 Rez Binayug and several others for the torture of the suspected snatcher.

Binayug was then the head of the Asuncion police community precinct, where the torture was filmed. The video was uploaded on Youtube and caught the attention of PNP officials.

Binayug was dismissed from the service shortly after the video went viral on the Internet.