Man beating truck driver in viral video a cop–Cebu mayor

CEBU CITY —  A policeman was identified as one of the assailants in a viral video showing two men attacking a truck driver and his passenger who allegedly committed a traffic violation in Barangay (village) Looc, in Mandaue City, Cebu.

The video, posted on Facebook, showed two men, who identified themselves as policemen, assaulting a truck driver and a passenger in Barangay Looc.

The video was posted by Danica Njela Mier Alcontin and had become viral since.

Alcontin asked for help from netizens to identify the two men.

“The driver didn’t know the violation he committed and was punched by one of the two men, who looked drunk,” Alcontin said in Cebuano.

In the video a man wearing an orange T-shirt is seen holding a gun.

Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing said that one of the men seen beating the driver was a policeman. The mayor, however, withheld the names of the assailants pending filing of charges.

“The offender will be investigated and immediately have his firearm withdrawn and placed on floating status pending the results of the investigation,” Quisumbing said in a statement.

Alcontin said the incident happened on Friday along first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge which connects Mactan Island to mainland Cebu.

“There was traffic on one lane and the vehicle tried to overtake and so the driver gave way. Five meters afterward, the truck was stopped and the men ran up to the truck driver demanding that he get out,” she said.

A traffic enforcer was also seen in the video.

Quisumbing said they sent a copy of the video and photos to the Mandaue City Police Office to identify the perpetrators and investigate the incident.

Quisumbing added that the city government will be reviewing their protocols for incidents that involve public safety.

“Expect improvements very soon. It may take time but mark my words, I will keep this City safe,” he said.

Quisumbing said he will investigate and hold accountable any city personnel who would not lift a finger to stop cases like these.

“Let me be clear, under no circumstances will I allow Mandaue City to be a place that is unsafe for anyone but criminals,” he said. -Julit Jainar / CDG

READ: Video of motorist escaping from cops goes viral