MANILA, Philippines - Manila policeman Senior Insp. Joselito Binayug has denied he is the man in the now infamous cell phone video showing a robbery suspect being tortured.

During a Senate inquiry on Thursday, Binayug was asked point blank by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada if he is the policeman in the cell phone video, and he immediately answered that it was not him. He also denied knowing who was responsible for the torture.

“It is not me, your honor. I do not know [who it is], sir,” he replied.

Binayug was the head of the Asuncion Police Community Precinct in Tondo, Manila where the torture allegedly took place.

The video, first aired over ABS-CBN, showed a man lying naked in a fetal position with his genitals tied to a rope. The torturer would occasionally pull the rope and hit the naked man.

The source of the video has identified Binayug as the man conducting the torture.

According to Chief Supt. Roberto Rongavilla, Binayug was also identified as the torturer by the victim’s wife, based on a signed statement given to the Philippine National Police (PNP) probers.

The wife says her husband, Darius Evangelista, went missing as early as March 3. She has filed before the Commission on Human Rights a complaint against Binayug for violating the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.

Binayug also said the investigation into his alleged involvement has been forwarded to the Department of Justice.

“Your honor, as mentioned by my superior, it has been filed before the Department of Justice and it is in proper form,” he said. - With ANC