Cop who killed hubby could face admin raps

CEBU, Philippines - The policewoman who accidentally shot her husband dead last Friday night might be free from criminal liability, but possibly not from administrative liability, said Sr. Supt. Anthony Obenza, director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Obenza said they first have to determine the liabilities of PO1 Chona Amoren before filing any administrative case.

He added that they are still in the first phase of their investigation, which is conducted by the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the LCPO headed by P/Supt. Virgil Ranes.

“Based on her explanation accidental ra jud to pero ipa-investigate gihapon nato,” Obenza said.

Worried about the couple’s 5-year-old girl growing up with no parents, the family of Elmar Amoren will no longer file a case against Chona, said Cordova chief Noli Sernio.

The parents and siblings of Elmar went to the Cordova Police Station yesterday and told Sernio they are no longer interested in filing a case.

“If the parents will not execute their affidavits until her reglamentary period, we will temporary release her,” Sernio told The FREEMAN.

Sernio said that recently, the couple had a rough relationship after the unemployed Elmar has been asking money from Chona.

“Permi ni sila mag-away tungod sa sweldo kay magsige mag pangayo ang bana unya sige’g kahubog,” Sernio said.

Chona, who is assigned at the Operations Branch of the LCPO, is still detained at the LCPO stockade. She surrendered to the Cordova police after she shot and killed Elmar in the middle of their dispute in barangay Alegria of the town.

She reportedly was prompted to shoot Elmar, who was drunk and tried to hurt her and their daughter. The policewoman was reportedly roused from her sleep by her allegedly drunk husband, who kept on calling her name.

   When she woke up, Almar reportedly threw clothes at her and also a cellular phone.

Apparently not yet satisfied with what he did, Elmar allegedly pushed Chona then took out her caliber .38 service firearm from the drawer where it was kept.

The couple had a scuffle and the gun accidentally went off hitting Elmar on the stomach.

Elmar was taken to the Mactan Doctor’s Hospital in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, but he was declared dead at 9:30 in the morning.

Sernio said they are still conducting further investigation. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)