National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Commissioner Rafael Calinisan on Friday, June 5, said he was not trying to impress the media as he had no plans to run in the 2028 elections.

According to a report by RH Tina Nolasco, this was his response during a heated exchange with PCpl. Simeon Suan, the cop who had forcibly arrested a senior citizen in a now-viral video, during a press conference.

Calinisan said that he was simply performing his duty, adding that he was not a politician but a public interest lawyer appointed at the helm of the commission.

“Hindi po ako tatakbo sa eleksyon. Ako po’y anak ng pulis na nagtatrabaho, gusto ko lang gampanan ang tungkulin ko. Porket ba ginagawa mo ‘yung tungkulin mo, nagpapapogi ka? Hindi po ako pulitiko. Ako po’y isang public interest lawyer na nalagay sa NAPOLCOM. Ginagampanan ko po ang tungkulin ko para sa taumbayan,” he said.

He clarified that only officers who have been caught in viral incidents face the media, as the people must witness such officers facing repercussions.

“Kasi it’s a public offense, everyone knows. Ano bang sasabihin natin sa taumbayan? Wala, klaro-klaro ‘yung offense sa taumbayan, hindi puwedeng hindi natin aksyunan ‘yan… Paano maniniwala ang taumbayan sa gobyerno kapag may isang nangyari na alam ng buong Pilipinas tapos walang aksyon, solusyon ang gobyerno?” he told reporters.

In a video that has made rounds on the internet, Suan was captured on camera forcefully pulling an elderly man out of his vehicle, roughly securing handcuffs on him, and yanking him to his feet.