Cop who joined Tondo basketball brawl probed

MANILA, Philippines —The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will investigate an off-duty policeman who joined a basketball brawl in Tondo, Manila.

Four people were injured after tensions escalated during a championship game in Barangay 135 on Sunday night.

Players punched and threw bottles at each other, closed-circuit television footage showed.

Outside the court, a shirtless man, said to be the police officer, appeared to have headlocked one of the minors.

NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano has ordered the Manila Police District to probe the incident.

Once identified, the policeman would be subjected to administrative and legal processes, according to Abrahano.

The National Police Commission’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service is also looking into the altercation.

A Sangguniang Kabataan official also joined the brawl and punched one of the players.