HPG in hot seat after viral video

A recent video taken at a PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) training ceremony has gone viral and has caused the HPG Director to step down.

In the video that was taken during the graduation ceremonies of the Executive Motorcycle Riding Course (EMRC) at a resort in Sariaya, Quezon, police Capt. Clifton Gairanod was seen punching a trainee in the chest, seemingly part of an initiation rite.

Due to the incident, PNP-HPG Brig. Gen. Clifford Gairanod has tendered his resignation as chief of HPG and has already relieved his son, Capt. Gairanod, as well as the other members of the training staff who were directly involved in the incident before leaving his position.

In the video, the officer was seen striking the victim multiple times wearing what seems to be a hard-knuckled motorcycle glove. The HPG officer can also be heard jokingly asking the trainee, “Sino attorney mo? Physical injury ikaso mo sa akin, ha? (Who’s your attorney? Sue me for physical injuries, will you?).”

Police Brig.Gen. Gairanod will be replaced by Col. Jay Cumigad, former deputy regional director for operations of Police Regional Office 3. While appreciating Gairanod’s professionalism, the PNP Chief directed the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to launch an investigation.

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