Philippines police officer caught abusing suspect

The police chief of Cavite, Carmona province in Philippines has been relieved of duties after a video of him beating a suspect was sent to the province's police director, reported Coconuts Manila.

In the video, Chief Inspector Jigger Noceda can be seen shouting at the suspect, trying to get him to confess to stealing a cell phone.

At one point, Noceda orders the suspect to extend his hands through the bars of his cell, so he can beat him with a piece of wood half an inch thick (about 1.5cm).

The video, recorded on CD, was sent to the Carmona provincial police director Senior Superintendent Jonnel Estomo, who summoned Noceda and confronted him with the video.

Reportedly, Noceda could not explain himself and has been removed from his post. Other officers who were seen smiling and laughing during the incident were also summoned and asked why they did nothing to stop the abuse.

According to Coconuts Manila, Noceda faces possible charges of grave misonduct and violating the anti-torture law of 2009.

Ironically, the alleged suspect, who was beaten up, was not charged with any crime, and the incident was not entered in the police records.

andrewg@sph.com.sg