PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar ordered the Bicol region police to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the alleged masturbation of a policeman in front of a saleslady inside a mall in Legazpi City, Albay on Sunday, September 12.

Eleazar issued the order Friday as the circulating topic on social media reached the office of the PNP chief.

According to the report of LtCol. Rodelon Betita of Legazpi City police station, they are “seriously investigating” the case even if the saleslady decided not to file a formal complaint.

Betita identified the suspect as a police major who is already married. He added they are determining if the incident was caught by surveillance cameras inside the establishment.

Although a settlement has been made between the suspect and the victim, the suspect is not yet off the hook because the Bicol police can still file an administrative case against him.

“Nakarating sa aking kaalaman ang ginawa ng isa naming kasamahan sa isang mall sa Legazpi City kung saan nadadamay na ang buong organisasyon (As far as I know, what one of our colleagues did at a mall in Legazpi City has affected the entire organization),” said Eleazar in a statement.

“Pulis man o sibilyan, walang taong nasa katinuan ng pag-iisip ang gagawa nito kaya inatasan ko na ang RD, PRO5 na imbestigahan at gumawa ng karampatang aksyon tungkol dito. Kasabay din sa aking utos ang pagpapasailalim sa nararapat na medical intervention sa pulis na ito upang maagapan kung ano man ang kanyang pinagdadaanan (Whether police or civilians, no sane person will do this so I have instructed RD, PRO5 to investigate and take competent action about it. At the same time, my order is to subject this police officer to the appropriate medical intervention in order to prevent whatever he is going through),” he added.

Eleazar said he wants the police officer involved to explain and face disciplinary action for his misconduct.

“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa biktima ng pangyayaring ito at sa kanyang pamilya, kasama ang pamunuan ng mall at sa ating mga kababayan sa maling asal na ginawa ng pulis na ito (I apologize to the victim of this incident and his family, along with the mall management and our countrymen for the misconduct committed by this police),” said Eleazar.

Meanwhile, BGen. Jonnel Estomo, regional director of the Bicol police, also issued a directive for the speedy investigation to give light on the issues arising from the incident, and said their regional police organization shall not be lenient on the unprofessional gestures committed by its members.

“If truthfully proven to have committed such a lustful act, the police officer shall be dealt with appropriate charges against him. Such actuation shall not be tolerated as it is a clear manifestation of unprofessionalism as a public servant,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

“It is not only unbecoming of a person of his rank and status; such deplorable acts besmirch the reputation of the whole organization tasked with the protection and promotion of the public’s safety and welfare, and which place great premium in morality, discipline and respect, but in itself a violation of the law, which he should first and foremost be the one to enforce.”

He stressed the regional police have also “taken a leap to unfold personal circumstances” of the person involved, and added they will give him the chance to be heard and explain himself for what he has done.

“PNP Bicol is true to the thrust of the entire organization under its Intensified Cleanliness Policy shall fairly and adequately use its means and capabilities to resolve the issue immediately,” he said.

“We deeply regret this incident with the deepest and sincerest apologies, and we assure the public that this is an isolated incident and that the rest of the organization remains faithful to its duty.”