Talisay cop-vlogger in hot water for controversial ‘Bring Me’ game
The Philippine National Police on Monday said it would investigate a police officer-vlogger for his “Bring Me Challenge” viral videos in which he asked viewers to surrender a drug user or pusher and unlicensed firearms in exchange for cash.
“This is not in our police operational procedures,” acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said at a press briefing in Camp Crame.
“The ACG (Anti-Cybercrime Group) and the DIDM (Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management) are now conducting an appropriate investigation for the act that he committed,” Nartatez added.
ACG director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said they have already identified the police officer. The PNP also called the attention of his immediate supervisor, who requested him to take down the videos.
PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño did not name the law enforcer concerned but said he was assigned to the Talisay City Police Station under the Cebu Police Provincial Office. He has since been relieved and assigned to an administrative post pending the outcome of the investigation.
Although the Inquirer was able to track down the social media page where the videos appeared, it opted not to name the police officer concerned until it is able to get his side.
Monetary incentives
In his Oct. 31 post, the police officer-vlogger told viewers that he was offering P2,000 and P5,000 for every drug user and street-level drug pusher, respectively, that they would surrender.
Then in a Nov. 2 post, he asked viewers to surrender unregistered firearms, saying they will be compensated based on the condition and caliber of the weapon.
Tuaño said the posts were done at the officer’s own initiative, while the money he offered came from his own pocket. It was not known, however, if any of his viewers took up his offer.
In a statement, the PNP said that while the videos were intended for personal social media engagement, these were “inappropriate and inconsistent” with the professional standards expected of its personnel, given the sensitive nature of the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“The PNP stresses that all online activity by its personnel—whether personal or official—must reflect the conduct and operational procedures that guide service to the public,” it added.
“This incident serves as a reminder to all members of the PNP to exercise prudence in social media use and to ensure that personal actions never compromise the honor and credibility of the PNP,” it said.
