A 34-YEAR old member of the Alcantara Municipal Police Station in Romblon was arrested and jailed by his colleagues when he reportedly ignored and disrespected the mayor of Looc municipality who accosted him for driving a motorcycle while in a drunken state late afternoon Wednesday.
Patrolman Caesar Taladtad and his passenger Mark Gio Guantia,27, both residents of Barangay Poblacion in Looc were taken to the local police station shortly after they were arrested and are now facing charges for resistance and disobedience to persons in authority, said Police Regional Office 4-B director, Brigadier General Pascual G. Muñoz Jr.
Acting on orders of Philippine National Police chief, General Debold M. Sinas, the Mimaropa police director said he has instructed the Romblon Police Provincial Office director to expedite the conduct of pre-charge investigation on the accused policeman.
Investigation showed that Pat. Taladtad, Guantia and a minor companion were believed to be all drunk when they were spotted by Looc Mayor Lisette Arboleda while on board a motorcycle.
It turned out that the lawyer-mayor was on board a government vehicle while inspecting parts of the municipality which is implementing a total liquor ban as part of its effort to control the upsurge of COVID-19 when she spotted the three.
When the mayor asked the driver to stop, she was completely ignored prompting the official to give chase while calling the attention of the local police who eventually flagged down the accused.
While being questioned by the mayor on their identities, the two suspects did not respond but eventually, the driver who turned out to be Pat. Taladtad answered ‘Pulis Ako.’
The mayor ordered the arrest of the policeman and his adult companion following the incident, said Muñoz.
