A man who identified himself as the apparent police officer shown restraining and punching another man in a video reported by Kaniva News has come forward to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and apologise for his conduct.
The sender, Antonio Mafileo Tongia, contacted Kaniva News through Facebook Messenger after the article was published. A review of his Facebook profile indicates that he is from Tokomololo and works for Tonga Police.
However, Tonga Police have not officially confirmed his employment or that he is the uniformed man shown in the 58-second video.
Tongia said he had finished work and was acting as a private citizen when the incident occurred. He said he was waiting for food at a takeaway when he discovered that a man had allegedly entered his vehicle, taken his mobile phone and passed it to a friend.
Tongia said he confronted the man and asked for the phone to be returned but became increasingly angry when the man repeatedly denied taking it.
“My patience grew heavy on the guy, so I held him down and started punching him,” Tongia said.
He claimed the alleged accomplice later passed the phone to a security officer at another restaurant across the street, who returned it to him.
Tongia said he released the restrained man after recovering the phone and checked that he was able to stand before driving away.
Despite explaining the circumstances leading to the incident, Tongia acknowledged that his actions were unacceptable and unlawful.
“I know violence is not the way, and I’m not satisfied any bit of what I did to the guy,” he said. “My emotions took the best of me and rage took over.”
“What I did was not lawful. I am very ashamed.”
Tongia said he had not intended to seriously harm the man and claimed that he loosened his grip whenever he believed the restraint was becoming excessive.
However, the video appeared to show the uniformed man applying his knee or body weight while holding the other man down as he struggled and waved his hands in apparent distress.
A person could be heard warning the apparent officer to treat the man appropriately or he could die.
The restraint technique drew widespread criticism online, including from senior prison officer and competitive Taekwondo practitioner Kuata Tokolahi, who described it as dangerous and warned that it could cause death.
Tongia apologised for his conduct and said he intended to find the man to try to make amends.
“I will try to find the guy and correct my actions,” he said. “I pray he’ll forgive me. Again, I am very ashamed.”
Tongia’s account remains an allegation and does not independently establish that the restrained man stole the phone. His Facebook profile and message also do not constitute official confirmation that he is a Tonga Police officer or the person shown in the video.
Kaniva News is seeking confirmation from Tonga Police and whether an investigation has been opened into the incident.
