Two engineering students were arrested by personnel of the Waterfront Police Station in Cebu City after a photograph of them showed they were extending a middle finger while policemen deployed on the street, to secure the Sinulog festivity, were on the background.
The photo was taken in Lapu-Lapu Street, Barangay San Roque, Cebu City on the night of January 21, 2024.
It was Patrolman Roldan Ragay, a resident of Sibonga town, assigned at the said area to augment security forces, who suspected at the way the two sniggered at something on their phones.
The students identified as Mario Allan Gabato, 21 years old, of Barangay Capitol Site and Phillip Kristoffer Cuizon of Barangay Kamputhaw reasoned out it was not their intention to take a photo while there were policemen around.
They said they took the picture to have this sent to their group chat after being reportedly stood up by friends earlier expected to loaf around with them in the city.
However, the policemen said that the two were already exhibiting unruly behavior before they were arrested for the said photograph.
The two apologized to the police personnel and admitted of having snapped the photo in outright recklessness.
Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, said that they will pursue a case against Gabato and Cuizon to prevent a precedent.
"Ato gyung kasohan kay aron dili ni sundon sa uban," Rafter said.
Charges for unjust vexation will be filed against the two.
(By G. Logroño & D. Padilla/DYSS Super Radyo GMA with A. Domingo/Balitang Bisdak)