By I. Inojales | 08:06 PM February 13, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — The Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bohol has announced it is prepared to investigate an alleged assault involving personnel of the Sevilla Municipal Police Station and a barangay councilor.
The incident, reportedly occurring on February 10, 2026, was caught on closed-circuit television footage and has sparked public concern.
Lt. Col. John Gilbert Basalo, chief of the Bohol PIAS based at Camp Francisco Dagohoy in Tagbilaran City, said their office is tasked with ensuring discipline within police ranks and conducting impartial probes into complaints against PNP personnel.
Basalo encouraged the complainant and other concerned parties to formally file a complaint before the Internal Affairs office to facilitate a proper investigation.
He emphasized that PIAS operates independently and that its findings are anchored on evidence.
“Our mandate is to investigate objectively and to ensure accountability among our personnel,” Basalo said in a radio interview.
The PIAS chief also noted that the Internal Affairs Service may initiate a motu proprio investigation even without a formal complaint under specific circumstances, including incidents involving discharge of firearms, deaths or serious injuries during police operations, alleged tampering of evidence, deaths or serious harm while in police custody, and violations of police operational procedures.
Basalo called on all parties involved to cooperate with investigators to ensure a transparent and comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
