Policeman in the Phillipines caught torturing a crime suspect

By John Grafilo

Manila (dpa) – Philippine police on Wednesday formed a panel to

investigate a police officer allegedly caught on video torturing a

crime suspect.

   The officer had been relieved of duty and would be subjected to

neuro-psychiatric evaluation, said police spokesman Senior

Superintendent Agrimero Cruz.

   Cruz said the officer would then have to undergo a month-long

re-training at the police values school.

   The video, allegedly recorded on a mobile phone, showed a naked

man lying on concrete floor, apparently in pain, as a police officer

pulled a string tied to the victim’s genitals.

   The officer was also seen hitting the man in the abdomen and face

with a whip.

   Director General Jesus Versoza, the national police chief,

described the incident as “disgusting and totally unwarranted,” the

spokesman said.

   “Rest assured the police will fully cooperate and support all

concerned offices in separate investigations to be conducted,” he

said.

   While allegations of torture against police officers have been

circulating for a long time, the video was the first recording of an

apparent incident.