NAPOLCOM Investigates Alleged Police Brutality Against Minor

NAPOLCOM Commissioner Ralph Calinisan

NAPOLCOM Investigates Alleged Police Brutality Against Minor

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | November 14, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into a formal administrative complaint filed by the father of a 17-year-old boy who allegedly suffered a fractured arm after being struck with a rifle by police officers at an unmarked checkpoint in Baliwag, Bulacan, on October 31, 2026. The incident has raised public concern regarding police conduct, the legitimacy of checkpoints, and the immediate medical care provided to minors in police custody.

The formal complaint, submitted to NAPOLCOM on November 13, details not only the alleged physical assault but also the officers’ failure to ensure prompt and appropriate medical attention for the injured teenager.

According to the father’s account, his son, accompanied by a passenger, was riding a motorcycle along the Baliwag-Pulilan Bypass Road when they encountered two police officers stationed by the roadside. After observing another motorcycle pass the checkpoint unimpeded, the son continued driving. It was then, the father claims, that a police officer allegedly struck the minor with a long-barreled rifle.

Frightened, the two attempted to flee but were apprehended by the officers in an alley. They were subsequently taken to the precinct, and their motorcycle was impounded.

An initial assessment at the precinct by a female officer reportedly dismissed the injury as a mere bruise. However, an X-ray performed later that evening at a hospital revealed a fracture in the teenager’s arm. Due to the absence of an orthopedic specialist, the minor was transferred to another medical facility for further treatment.

The father initially sought assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Internal Affairs Service (IAS) but later withdrew his complaint, opting to file with NAPOLCOM, citing greater trust in Commissioner Ralph Calinisan to ensure accountability.

The incident’s impact extended beyond the physical injury, as the father stated his son missed two weeks of school, and he himself was unable to work during the same period to attend to his son’s condition.

Commissioner Calinisan sharply questioned the police’s failure to immediately subject the minor to a thorough medical examination, especially given the visible injury. He emphasized the necessity of prompt medical assessment and medico-legal documentation in such cases.

Furthermore, Calinisan challenged the appropriateness and proportionality of the force allegedly used against the minor. He stressed that even if officers had grounds to halt the individual at the checkpoint, the use of a firearm to stop a minor warrants serious scrutiny.

The legitimacy and operational standards of the checkpoint itself are also under investigation. Calinisan asserted that checkpoints must be clearly marked, supervised by a police official, and situated in well-lit and easily visible areas.

The NAPOLCOM investigation will focus on four critical aspects:

1. Legitimacy and Supervision of the Checkpoint: Ensuring adherence to established protocols for checkpoint operation.
2. Use of Force: Assessing whether the force employed against the minor was reasonable and necessary.
3. Handling of the Incident at the Precinct: Scrutinizing the procedures and care provided by officers post-apprehension.
4. Command Responsibility: Investigating the potential accountability of superior officers.

The involved police officers could face criminal and administrative charges, including Neglect of Duty and Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer. Personnel involved in handling the incident and their superiors may also be held accountable, depending on the investigation’s findings and the gravity of their potential shortcomings.

While their identities are being verified through official documentation, Commissioner Calinisan refrained from naming the implicated officers.

Calinisan extended gratitude to the family for their trust in NAPOLCOM and assured a diligent investigation to ensure accountability. He underscored that abuse and lack of accountability have no place within the police force.

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