PNP probes HPG official who beat up cop

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December 20, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) is investigating a police colonel who allegedly beat up a lower-ranking policeman at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday, the Philippine National Police announced.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the IAS is probing the incident at the parking lot of the Highway Patrol Group or HPG, which was caught in a video that went viral.

“This is not a prejudgment. This is a standard step to protect all parties involved and to preserve the integrity of the investigation,” Nartatez said in a statement as he vowed a swift and impartial probe.

If proven true, the HPG official could face sanctions ranging from suspension to dismissal from service.

“Criminal charges may also be pursued if warranted by the evidence,” Nartatez said.

HPG director Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan on Thursday announced the relief of Col. Helson Walin as chief of their investigation management division after he beat up a patrolman.

“We don’t tolerate such a thing. It should not happen, but it happened. So my apology because of the inconvenience it brought to you,” Marantan said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

Initial investigation showed that Walin got angry after seeing a vehicle parked at his designated slot, and vented his ire on the victim.

Walin got out of his vehicle, kicked the patrolman on the stomach, pointed a gun at the victim’s forehead and hit him four times on the face and upper lip.