The top cop of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday admitted "losing control" during a violent confrontation with a police officer who allegedly extorted money from a drug suspect.

• 'Kotong' cop sinabunutan, dinuro, minura ni NCRPO chief Eleazar

Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar had apologized for losing his cool, but said his action was justified.

"Humihingi ako ng paumanhin kung hindi ko nakontrol, pero ang mga taong 'yan ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nasisira, para sakin dapat lang na ganun ang trato sa mga tiwali," Eleazar said.

(I apologize for losing cool but cops like him are tarnishing our reputation so he deserves it.)

The NCRPO chief justified his outburst and hoped it would serve as a "stern warning" for police officers.

"Mapahiya na ang mapahiya, let us show this as a stern warning," he said.

Earlier in the day, Eleazar was filmed grabbing Police Corporal Marlo Quibete's face and at one point pulling his hair after the latter's arrest.

Quibete, handcuffed, was then collared and berated by Eleazar in front of the media and other police officers.

Quibete, a member of the Eastern Police District's (EPD) Drug Enforcement Unit, was arrested after allegedly demanding P200,000 from a drug suspect.

Eleazar ordered the immediate relief of EPD chief Police Brigadier General Bernabe Balba and Pasay City Police chief Police Colonel Noel Flores, citing command responsibility.