Tuburan cop relieved for indiscriminate firing

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director Erson Digal once again reminded his men of their role – to serve and protect the community.

He warned the police officers in the province to behave as what they are expected to do to gain respect of the people. “Dili police ang magpabadlong kun dili kita mao’y mamadlong.”

This after Digal relieved the police officer who indiscriminately fired his service firearm last January 3 in front of Tuburan Police Station.

On January 5 Digal issued an order to relieve PO3 Antonio Albite to the Provincial Security Service Group (PSSG) while he was being investigated by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB).

Albite was allegedly drunk when he indiscriminately fired his caliber .45 pistol twice in front of the police station while on duty. He was immediately disarmed by the other police officers. Nobody was reported hurt due to the incident.

Albite will be subjected for a pre-charge investigation before the PIDMB recommend the case to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 for the summary hearing.

Digal said that if proven that the reports against Albite are true, he will be facing dismissal from service.

“Any police officer nga makasala kasuha gyud aron mahimong leksyon sa police nga magpabadlong,” he said.

Albite was the second police officer who was under investigation within this year after PO3 Oliver Rondina who was allegedly drunk when he aimed his service firearm towards farm laborers in Barangay Tubigan, Compostela, on Monday evening.

He was also relieved to the PSSG while an investigation is ongoing.

“Inig inom dapat ibutang sa tiyan, dili ibutang sa ulo,” Digal said. (FREEMAN)