Pasig cop apologizes for gun-pointing incident as NAPOLCOM probes case

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A police officer in Pasig City on Wednesday apologized after a viral video showed him allegedly pointing a gun at people while intoxicated.

At a press conference, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) presented the cop identified as Police Staff Sergeant Ryan Rene Balisi.

"Sa aking complainant, humihingi po ako ng tawad. Pasensya na po sa aking maling nagawa. Sana mapatawad mo ako. Sa aking mga kababayan sa buong Pilipinas, sana po ma-ano niyo po ako sa aking mga ginawa ay talaga namang pong inaamin ko pong mali," Balisi said.

(To my complainant, I apologize. I am sorry for what I did wrong. I hope you can forgive me. To my countrymen across the Philippines, I hope you can forgive me for what I did, I truly admit that I was wrong.)

"At sa ating kapulisan, Sir, Ma'am, ako po ay humihingi ng tawad dahil sa mga ginawa ko. Sa mga ibang kapulisan po, huwag niyo po akong tularan na ginawa ko po ito," he added.

(And to our police force, Sir, Ma'am, I apologize for what I did. To other policemen, please don't follow what I did.)

Balisi said he had an argument with his wife before the incident, then decided to follow her when she left their home. He admitted that he lost control of his emotions.

Pasig City Police officer-in-charge Police Colonel Wilson delos Santos said authorities acted promptly after receiving the video and identifying Balisi as the police officer involved.

Police tracked Balisi to his residence and brought him to the station. His firearm was confiscated, and an alcohol breath test was administered.

Balisi had posted bail but remained under restrictive custody upon the order of the regional director. He was also set to be reassigned to the Eastern Police District headquarters.

NAPOLCOM Commissioner Ralph Calinisan said his office would proceed with the administrative complaint filed by the complainant against Balisi.

"May complainant dito sa insidenteng ito laban kay Balisi. So that's why itong complainant na ito, ang siyang naghabla kay Balisi dito sa NAPOLCOM," Calinisan said.

(There is a complainant here in this incident against Balisi. So that's why this complainant is the one who filed the complaint against Balisi here at NAPOLCOM.)

"And we will proceed in handling this complaint. 'Yung complaint most likely will progress to two cases, grave misconduct at saka conduct unbecoming of a police officer," he added.

(And we will proceed in handling this complaint. The complaint most likely will progress to two cases, grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.)

Calinisan pointed out that personal problems and intoxication are not excuses for threatening people with a firearm, adding that such incidents undermine public trust in the police.

Meanwhile, Calinisan said the NAPOLCOM would continue strengthening the screening of police applicants, including comprehensive background investigations and proper neuropsychiatric evaluations.

He also emphasized the need to address the mental health and welfare of serving police officers, noting that the commission had reached out to psychologists and psychometricians for assistance.

Calinisan said police officers experiencing personal difficulties should seek professional help, but reiterated that mental health concerns do not excuse abusive behavior. — VDV, GMA News