Grab driver arrested in Taguig for allegedly mauling cop, says she acted in self-defense

A 26-year-old Grab driver was arrested on Tuesday in Taguig City after she allegedly hit a police officer whom she had accused of hitting her with his car’s door.

Driver Florence Norial was nabbed for allegedly committing alarm and scandal, direct assault, and disobeying a person in authority when she confronted Police Captain Ronald Saquilayan near a Starbucks cafe in Grace Mall at 7:20pm.

A cop assigned at the Pateros Police Station, Saquilayan was inside his car that was parked in front of the cafe when Norial alighted from her own vehicle, screamed at him, and tapped on his door, according to the Taguig City police report.

Read: Couple in viral confrontation apologizes, MMDA to pursue their complaint

The policeman then sought Starbucks employees’ assistance, but the Grab driver continuously knocked on his door. Saquilayan then arrested Norial when the latter allegedly pushed his car door and hit him on the head.

However, Norial’s boyfriend Mirza Miguel Shahzad told Rappler that he witnessed the entire episode and that it was Saquilayan who hit his girlfriend first. He also alleged that the report filed by the Taguig police was false.

According to Shahzad, Norial drove in front of the cafe to bring a passenger but had to stop because the vehicle owned by Saquilayan was blocking the driveway. Norial honked her horn, flashed her car’s headlights, and tapped on Saquilayan’s car, but the cop allegedly ignored her. She then sought the help of a security guard and knocked on Saquilayan’s car once more. The cop then allegedly opened his door, which hit the Grab driver, pushing her towards the bushes and injuring her.

Norial then slapped the cop, who retaliated by arresting her.

Before her arrest, Norial posted a video online showing her confrontation with the police captain, who allegedly slammed her against Starbucks’ glass window.

Meanwhile, Grab Philippines released a statement today to say that they had learned about Norial’s arrest.

“The safety and welfare of our driver-partners remain [the] top priority for us at Grab,” the company said. “We are currently coordinating with the family of our driver-partner, and we will provide bail assistance for her immediate release.”