Grave misconduct vs. cop who shot teen

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch has found probable cause to recommend Chief Insp. Ceferino Tabay Jr. be administratively indicted for grave misconduct for mauling and shooting dead Vincent Paul Montesclaros, 17.

Tabay, deputy chief of the Bogo City Police Station, allegedly killed Montesclaros, his daughter’s boyfriend, last April 5 in Barangay Guadalupe.

According to the pre-charge evaluation of the PIDMB, Tabay administratively violated National Police Commission Memorandum Circular 2007-001 Rule 21, Section 2, in committing an act constituting a crime punishable under the Revised Penal Code or Special Laws.

Considering that the case for grave misconduct is beyond the disciplinary authority of Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador, it was forwarded to the Police Regional Office-7 for the designation of a summary hearing officer.

Aside from his administrative liability, a murder case was also filed against Tabay in Branch 61 of the Regional Trial Court in Bogo City. He was remanded to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Tabay killed Montesclaros after seeing his daughter’s nose bleeding. He admitted committing the crime out of fatherly love for his daughter. He also claimed Montesclaros was armed at that time which prompted him to shoot.

Montesclaros was rushed by Tabay to the Bogo Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police arrived and recovered two empty shells of .45 cal. pistol and a pair of white slippers at the crime scene.

Tabay turned over his issued 9mm pistol with one magazine loaded with 11 live rounds and a .45 cal. pistol with one magazine loaded with three live rounds. –(FREEMAN)