Cop jailed for hurting man while responding to alarm

CEBU, Philippines – A city policeman detailed at the Parian Police Station was placed behind bars after a complaint was filed against him for injuring a neighbor the other night in sitio Mahayahay, barangay Capitol Site when he responded to a trouble alarm.

PO3 Buenaventura Ursaiz, Jr. was detained at the Fuente Police Station after injuring his neighbor, 21-year-old Arniel Consol who was hit by splinters in the left knee.

Ursaiz, whose residence is around 50 meters away from the Consols, said that he was drinking with his neighbors at around 8 p.m. since there was a fiesta celebration in their area when he sensed trouble at the Consol household.

This reportedly prompted him to draw his caliber .40 service firearm, tucked in the waist, and fire a warning shot onto the pavement. Consequently, the victim was hit by the splinters.

The victim was then taken to the Cebu City Medical Center but was released later.

Chief Insp. Arnel Banzon of the Fuente Police Station said that Ursaiz called them after the incident, surrendered to the arresting police, and turned over his service firearm.

The concerned family is now waiting for the result of the medical certification to decide whether or not to pursue the filing of charges against the policeman.

They claimed, however, that the policeman was just indeed trying to pacify them but since he fired a gun and eventually injured the victim, they then filed the complaint.

Consol, who claimed to be a kitchen assistant at one of the hotels in the uptown Cebu City area, said that Ursaiz was among his companions in a drinking spree prior to the incident.

He alleged that his father, who was also already drunk at that time, had a heated argument with his cousins over land property issues.

The policeman said that he has nothing to worry about the incident since it was a legitimate response to a trouble alarm. He is also willing to face the investigation.

Banzon said that if both parties will not arrive at a settlement, they will file a charge for reckless imprudence resulting to physical injury against Ursaiz.

Ursaiz is said to be attending a class at the Regional Training School in barangay Apas for his promotion to the rank of Inspector.

According to Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., director of the Cebu City Police Office, the Internal Affairs Service will investigate to determine if Ursaiz indeed committed lapses in the said incident.

Comendador views the shooting incident as legitimate. – Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV  (THE FREEMAN)