2 policemen hurt in gun accident

CEBU, Philippines - Two policemen were injured when one of the cop’s firearms accidentally fell and went off while responding to a commotion inside the San Fernando Police Station Tuesday past 12:00 noon.

The commotion started when the elder sister of Rodel Bayot, 31, of Barangay Panadtaran reportedly harassed the police during the arrest of Rodel for attempted homicide.

PO1 Janel Figura’s .45 pistol fell from his waist as he was pacifying the parties involved.

Fragments of the tile flooring of the police station hit Figura and PO1 Catherine Rhea Gatcho in the leg. Gatcho was taken to the Carcar District Hospital as an outpatient.

Sr. Insp. Gerard Pelare, San Fernando police chief, said his personnel were armed with an arrest warrant for attempted homicide issued by Municipal Trial Court Judge Glenda Go when they arrested Rodel.

Rodel was playing illegal gambling or “tong-its” when arrested.

Pelare said Rodel resisted and his family led by his sister, Ellen Bayot, came to help him but the police successfully took him to the police station.

At the police station, Ellen allegedly harassed the arresting officers and threatened to have them killed.

Still, police calmly advised Ellen to go out to avoid further commotion when the pistol suddenly fell.

“Padung na mahulog pero nasalo pa niya (Figura) pero nakablitan ang trigger didto punta ang bala sa tiles,” Pelare said in a phone interview. (He was able to catch it when it fell but the gun went off.)

Pelare said Figura turned over the pistol as he is being subjected to an investigation.

Rodel is now detained at the San Fernando stockade.

Police considered Rodel as one of the most wanted persons in municipal level. He is a knownp burglar and was once detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) for theft.

Last Monday, Rodel was accused for burglary but the complainant refused to file a case against him. A separate case for direct assault to a person in authority will be filed against Ellen for harassing the police. —/JPM (FREEMAN)