Two police officers assigned to the Bacarra Municipal Police Station have been relieved from their posts pending investigation after one of them allegedly threatened an Iglesia Filipina Independente (IFI) priest and cocked his service firearm during a confrontation in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

The incident, which occurred 31 July, drew public attention after videos circulated on social media.

The National Police Commission identified the officers as Police Master Sgt. Rely R. Vea Jr., who allegedly threatened Fr. Arvin Mangrubang and his family while cocking his firearm, and Police Cpl. Neil Jan A. Gayrama, who was also present during the incident.

NAPOLCOM Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan said both officers have been relieved from the Bacarra Municipal Police Station and reassigned to the Provincial Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while administrative cases are being prepared.

"If the investigation establishes that violations were committed, NAPOLCOM will not hesitate to impose the appropriate administrative sanctions. There is no place in the service for abuse of authority, intimidation, or any violation of the rights of our citizens," Calinisan said.

The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office said it has launched a separate investigation and directed the Bacarra Municipal Police Station to submit a detailed report on the incident.

Both the Ilocos Norte police and NAPOLCOM said investigations are ongoing.