The frustrated murder and malicious mischief charges filed against Police Staff Sergeant Erwin Baquiran Lagua in connection with a viral road rage incident along C-5 Road have been dismissed by the court for lack of sufficient evidence.

In a decision released by the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office, the court downgraded the complaint to slight physical injury, ruling that the evidence presented did not support the filing of frustrated murder charges. Authorities also ordered the release of Lagua after posting a ₱3,000 bail.

The case stemmed from a May 12 viral video showing a police officer allegedly pushing a fellow rider along the busy C-5 roadway in Pasig City, which sparked public outrage and prompted immediate action from law enforcement officials.

National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Commissioner Vicente Calinisan had earlier ordered the dismissal of QCPD CIDU chief PLtCol. Edison Ouano and investigator Police Corporal Benito Calungai Jr. over what he described as the improper filing of lesser charges in the case.

During a press briefing, Calinisan criticized the initial complaint, insisting that authorities should not have downgraded the case to slight physical injury and malicious mischief given the severity of the incident.

However, the defense lawyer of the accused officer, Atty. Ariel Inton, said from the beginning that the frustrated murder charge was “legally baseless,” adding that the filing of excessive charges contributed to unnecessary public condemnation of the officer.

Pasig City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Jasmine Pararuan affirmed in the ruling that only slight physical injury was supported by evidence, leading to the dismissal of the more serious charges and the officer’s release upon bail.