A video showing an injured man inside the San Manuel Police Station detention facility in Pangasinan has gone viral, sparking allegations of police brutality.

The man was arrested for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

The man's family claims he was beaten by police officers following his arrest on August 4, 2024.

According to the man's sister, Princess Sumajit, her brother was not at the police station when they first went after his arrest. 

They found him at the station at around 6 a.m. on August 5 with injuries, which she alleged was inflicted by the police. They reportedly want to press charges.

“Gusto namin na idemanda sila dahil sa ginawa nila sa kapatid ko. Nanghihina siya at masakit ang ulo niya, tapos nahihilo siya… mga kamay niya ay namamaga,” Sumajit said.

Police Regional Office 1 Director, PBGen Lou Evangelista, said the man resisted arrest during a buy-bust operation during which he reportedly fell and hit his head on the ground, and sustained injuries. 

Evangelista said the suspect was under the influence of drugs. 

“Noong hinuhuli, pumalag siya kaya nasubsob kaya may mga tamas sa ulo. But nevertheless, for the benefit of the doubt I directed my PD to relieve the personnel involved,” she said.

INVESTIGATION

The chief of the San Manuel Police and the arresting officer have been relieved from their posts to allow for an impartial investigation.

In a statement, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office denied the allegations of torture by the arresting officer. 

“Medical certificates indicate that only minor abrasions from resisting arrest were observed by the attending physician,” it read.

The police are now processing a cyber libel case against the uploader of the video.