The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stands by the cop in the Dasmariñas Village incident since the police officer handled the situation according to established police protocols.
“Amid all the buzz and trial by publicity going around this incident, we stand with Police Senior Master Sergeant Roland Madrona since he did his job properly. The incident was handled in accordance with established police protocols. He was just doing his job,” he adds.
Año says that the arrest was made by the book, following established police protocols in law enforcement and should not be judged solely by the video circulating online “as there were a lot more going on prior to the shooting of the video.”
“He did everything by the book. In the case of our police officer, Police Senior Master Sergeant Mardona, he did his job well and ipaglalaban ko ‘yan kahit mababang ranggo ng pulis, paglalaban natin ‘yan,” he said in a televised interview with GMA 7.
“They were on the street, and he [Madrona] was already doing the arrest that led in front of the house. It’s allowed by the law, it’s called hot pursuit, even if the guy went inside the house, if you’re arresting somebody, you’re allowed by law,” he explains.
Año says that people should be reminded that during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), enforcement of the law is stricter as a public health measure to contain the transmission of COVID-19, even the simplest wearing of mask must be adhered to.
“Huwag din po nating kalimutan na city ordinance at ECQ protocol po ang nalabag nila which is being implemented for public health, hence, Madrano has no choice but to impose the law. Ito din po ang hindi sinang-ayunan nung foreigner,” he says.
According to Philippine National Police reports, Madrona was conducting Oplan Bandillo, upon the request of the Dasmariñas village officials in Makati City, when he noticed the maid of Javier Parra, the foreigner on viral video, watering the plants with no face mask on, a clear violation of the city ordinance and ECQ protocol. “Ito yung mga pagkakataon na hindi naman nakikita ng mga tao doon sa circulating video, the cop politely asked the maid to wear mask at may paglabag sa batas na nangyari.”
As the maid went inside the house she was asked by Madrano to present her ID, minutes later, a seemingly intoxicated Parra and his wife went out and confronted and hurled offensive words at him leading to the point where the cop attempted to restrain Parra.
He says that in incidents like this “it is always the easiest to judge a certain situation by referencing a video, but we cannot pass a verdict na iyon lamang ang ating pinagbabasehan. Full investigation must ensue so that we can consider all the other evidences and eyewitness accounts.”
Año said that the official investigation of the case will be done with complete impartiality and due process. “You know I am the chairman of the National Police Commission and I dismissed more than 2,000 police officers for various offenses and abuses of authority. I won’t let any policeman abuse and use his position to hurt others.”
