DAVAO CITY (May 5) — Two police officers who moonlight as personal escorts for Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte are now facing summary dismissal after allegedly failing to intervene in or report a bar brawl involving the lawmaker last February 23.
Davao City Police Director Colonel Hansel Marantan said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) identified the two officers, who are now facing both administrative and criminal charges for obstruction of justice.
“They were assigned to police precincts but served as the Congressman’s escorts after official duty hours,” Marantan said.
The incident was brought to public attention after businessman Kristone John Patria filed a complaint on May 2 in Manila, accusing Duterte of physical assault and an attempted stabbing at the Hearsay Gastropub in Obrero. Patria claimed the altercation stemmed from a disagreement over payment for six women he allegedly arranged for a private gathering requested by Duterte and businessman Charlie Tan.
Rep. Duterte said on Saturday that he has yet to receive a copy of Patria’s complaint. A source familiar with the investigation said the two police officers, both based in Davao City and with more than 23 years of service in the Philippine National Police, stood idly by during the incident — a serious violation of their sworn duty to act as peacekeepers.
“They failed to report the incident and concealed information that could have supported an investigation. That is a breach of their responsibility as law enforcers,” said a retired police officer who requested anonymity.
CCTV footage of the incident, now circulating online, reportedly shows the two officers present during the altercation, failing to take action or de-escalate the situation.
