PRO-7 dismisses cop who shot another cop dead

A policeman who accidentally shot a policewoman inside the Cebu City Police Office last year was ordered dismissed from service based on an order coming from the Police Regional Office-7.

PO3 Roger Castañeda, a policeman who was formerly assigned to the San Nicolas police station was ordered dismissed following an administrative case for gross incompetence.

Police Regional Office-7 director Silverio Alarcio ordered his dismissal which was signed by regional chief of staff Sr. Supt. Drusillo Bolodo last February 19, but the effectivity of the order was last February 6 yet.

SPO4 Grace Retuya was killed last February 17, 2006 after Castañeda's service a .45 cal. pistol accidentally went off when he was putting its hammer back in place.

The bullet went through a wooden partition of the CCPO administration office where Retuya was assigned and hit her in the left side of the body. Castañeda was in the city police headquarters after being called to a meeting with former CCPO director Melvin Gayotin.

Retuya died an hour later at the Perpetual Succour Hospital while Castañeda immediately surrendered himself to the Homicide Section.

The Homicide Section filed a criminal case for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and Castañeda was able to post the P20,000 bail.

While his criminal and administrative cases were being heard Gayotin ordered him transferred to the Security Service Group.

Acting CCPO director Patrocinio Comendador yesterday said that Castañeda's dismissal order was executory, although he can still make an appeal within ten days of receiving the order. - Flor Z. Perolina/BRP