A police officer has apologized after allegedly pointing his service firearm at a van carrying a child while intoxicated and causing a disturbance at a gasoline station in Pasig City.
The police officer was identified as Police Staff Sergeant Ryan Rene Balisi, who was presented at a press conference at the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Central Office in Quezon City on Wednesday, following the October 25 incident at a gasoline station along Sandoval Avenue in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.
“Sa aking complainant, humihingi po ako ng tawad. Pasensya na po sa aking maling nagawa. Sana mapatawad mo ako. Sa aking mga kababayan sa buong Pilipinas, sana po ma-ano niyo po ako sa aking mga ginawa ay talaga namang pong inaamin ko pong mali,” Balisi said.
A viral video showed that Balisi, who was off duty at the time, allegedly intoxicated and walking unsteadily while carrying his service firearm and pointing it at a vehicle being refueled at the station. The van reportedly had a child on board.
Barangay authorities responded after a concerned citizen sought assistance, leading to Balisi’s arrest by the Pasig City Police.
Balisi attributed the incident to personal problems, saying he had been dealing with family issues following an alleged argument with his wife over jealousy.
He also appealed to his fellow police officers not to imitate his behavior.
“At sa mga sa ating kapulisan, Sir, Ma'am, ako po yung may nang tawad dahil sa mga lang ginawa ko. Sir, Ma'am, pasensya na po. Huwag niyo po sa mga ibang kapulisan po, huwag niyo po akong tularan na ginawa ko po ito. Sana, patawad niyo po ako,” he said.
He has since posted bail but remains under restrictive custody at the Eastern Police District headquarters while administrative proceedings continue.
The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Commissioner Ralph Calinisan condemned the alleged misconduct, stressing that personal problems do not justify drunken behavior, threatening civilians or the irresponsible handling of a firearm.
“Lahat naman tayo nagkakaproblema, pero kung idadaan natin yung problema natin sa pag-iinom, panggugulo, paglalabas ng baril at pang-aapekto sa ibang tao, eh hindi ito maaari,” Calinisan said.
“More is expected from us. I think we fell short here.. nagkaproblema, nakalimot, literal na naglasing, nagwala, nanira ng tiwala ng tao, that’s why ito yung kailangan natin i-repair by swiftly acting on this case, and imposing the correct punishment,” he added.
Calinisan said a formal complaint had already been filed against Balisi, making a separate motu proprio investigation by the commission unnecessary.
The complaint is expected to proceed under the administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Beyond the case, Calinisan also emphasized the need to address the mental health and welfare of police personnel, recognizing the pressures associated with police work.
“We also need to look into the morale and welfare of all of our existing policemen. Tao sya eh, he might have been the most upright cop when he entered the force but he encountered some problems along the way, our cops need help too,” he said.
Calinisan said NAPOLCOM had identified the need for mental health support during its visits to police stations and had reached out to professional organizations, including the boards of psychologists and psychometricians, for assistance.
He assured police personnel that the commission was committed to their well-being while emphasizing the importance of accountability.
NAPOLCOM said it would act swiftly on the case as it seeks to ensure that the appropriate sanctions are imposed and public trust in the police is restored.
