The bus driver who was slapped in the face by a police officer has denied allegations of bribing the cop into letting him keep his license, according to a report by GMA News yesterday.
Joel Mametis is the driver in the now-viral video showing how Police Officer 1 Edmar Costo slapped him twice aboard a bus.
Costo has since been relieved of his post at the Parañaque Police Station, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday. However, he was reassigned to the Regional Headquarters Support Group of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Costo had said that he slapped Mametis because he felt insulted by the driver who allegedly tried to bribe him with a PHP100 (US$1.87) bill to get out of a traffic violation. He added that Mametis initially refused to surrender his license after he was caught for violating the “closed door policy.”
READ: Police officer who slapped bus driver twice in viral video relieved of his post
However, Mametis denied the accusation, saying he couldn’t have possibly bribed the police officer.
“Who could’ve bribed him [in that position], I was seated at the [driver’s seat]… I didn’t even go down the bus,” he said in Filipino on GMA News’ 24 Oras. “And after a few seconds, I blacked out when he hit me.”
Mametis shared that Costo can be heard saying in Filipino in the viral video: “If you come by here again, I will end you.” He added that he will file charges against the police officer. “Enough with your nonsense, enough with all of your arrogance. You will meet your match,” he said.
In light of the accident, Metro Manila’s Southern Police District said that it now has plans to bring back its anger management program to take precautionary steps for authorities who have a short temper.
