A police officer in Cebu is now behind bars after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera captured him assaulting and threatening a Person with Disability (PWD). The incident has sparked outrage and led to immediate administrative and criminal proceedings.
CCTV Footage Reveals Violent Assault
The event occurred on the afternoon of Friday, January 9, 2026, in Sityo Marason, Barangay Labangon, Tabogon town. The victim, identified as Genesis Garcia, an adult resident, was on his way home on a motorcycle when he was overtaken by the suspect.
Upon reaching the area in front of the Barangay Hall, the police officer, Police Corporal Roel Pepito of the Tabogon Municipal Police Station, blocked Garcia's path. Without provocation, Pepito reportedly punched Garcia in the jaw, causing him to fall. Even with the victim on the ground, the officer continued the assault and was seen threatening Garcia with his firearm.
Immediate Police Action and Arrest
The case gained widespread attention after a concerned citizen uploaded the damning CCTV footage to Facebook. Police Colonel Abubakar Mangelen, the Provincial Director of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), saw the video and immediately ordered the Tabogon police chief, Police Captain Dublin Tabares, to arrest the erring officer.
That same night, Pepito surrendered himself and turned over his service firearm. Authorities are now preparing both criminal and administrative charges against him.
Leadership Condemns Abuse, Vows Justice
In a strong statement, Colonel Mangelen condemned the actions of his subordinate. He emphasized that abusive, violent, and undisciplined police officers have no place in the organization, especially those who target vulnerable members of society like PWDs.
Mangelen assured the public that the case would follow the proper legal process and that the officer would be held fully accountable for his actions. He was quick to add that Pepito's conduct does not represent the entire Cebu police force, which he said is committed to righteous and dedicated service.
During the incident, a family member of the victim tried to intervene. The officer's alleged justification for the attack was that Garcia was supposedly on a watchlist of individuals involved with illegal drugs. This claim, however, did not prevent the swift action taken by police leadership following the viral spread of the visual evidence.
