Cop faces dismissal over accidental firing

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Lani-O Nerez said PO1 Ronie Berngel Barangian will be dismissed from service if proven that he was playing with his gun when it went off and hit a fellow policeman while both of them were drinking last Monday evening.

Reports said that Barangian played with his caliber .45 pistol when he accidentally shot PO1 Ronnie Barrita, 27. Barrita was hit in the neck and the bullet exited his nape. He is still fighting for life in one of the hospitals in Cebu City.

Barrita is on a field training program in Cebu City and was assigned with Task Force Colon while Barangian is detailed with the Centralized Beat Patrol. The report was that both Barrita and Barangian were on duty past 10 p.m. at Sanciangko St. in Barangay Pahina Central when the accident happened.

Investigation showed that Barrita and Barangian were drinking beer with fellow policeman, PO1 Mari June Bohol, at the sala of a boarding house during the incident. Another policeman Adam Perpetua, 24, also assigned with the beat patrol, was sleeping on a bench near the three. Although the status of policemen who are on field training is “on probation,” Nerez they are allowed to carry guns because they are already deployed to maintain peace and order.

“Kon atong mahibaw-an nga nagduwa-duwa siya sa armas, ug labi na nga nag-inom samtang nag-uniporme, atong irekomendar nga dili sila ma-hire sa permanent status,” said Nerez.

Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said the charges against Barangian would be either frustrated homicide or reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries.— Rene U. Borromeo and Niña Sumacot/JPM (THE FREEMAN)