Woman, 2 children held for beating cop

MANILA, Philippines - A 50-year-old woman and her three children were charged after they beat up a police officer who was about to arrest her youngest son in Manila Saturday night.

Rosario de la Cruz and her children Israel, 27, and Angelica, 26, were arrested and charged with direct assault, obstruction of justice and robbery.

Police said Rosario’s other son, Leopoldo, 23, fled after the incident.

Police Officer 3 Noel Mabini and PO1 Eduardo Layola Jr., both of the Manila Police District Station 4, responded to a complaint that a group of men were gambling along Paquita street in Sampaloc at around 11 p.m., according to SPO3 Noel Jesus Carlos.

Mabini and Layola were about to approach the men when they ran away, leaving behind Leopoldo.

The police officers were about to take Leopoldo to the police station when his mother and two siblings arrived and ganged up on Mabini.

Mabini said he lost his .9mm caliber service firearm, mobile phone, wristwatch and flashlight during the commotion.

Layola sought assistance from his colleagues and arrested Angelica and Israel. Rosario was nabbed and handcuffed when she visited her children at the police station.