Jealous cop shoots brother

CEBU, Philippines - A drunken policeman was put behind bars after he shot and injured his brother in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City last Saturday night over jealousy.

The policeman (name withheld) was assigned at the Cebu City Public Safety Company (CCPSC) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

The victim sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg while the policeman surrendered voluntarily to the responding personnel of the Motorcycle Response Unit.

Investigation showed that after attending the wake of a neighbor, the victim with his wife proceeded to his brother's house at past 8:00 in the evening to settle a personal matter.

"Suko ang pulis kay ang biktima naa kuno'y relasyon sa iyang asawa. Niadto ang biktima kay makig-settle unta siya ug i-deny na dili ni tinood," said SPO1 Ruth Violango of the Homicide Section.

However, as soon as the couple arrived at the house, the policeman shot the victim without any word, said Violango adding that policeman who was on off-duty smelled alcoholic drink.

"Dili pa tarong kaestorya. Pagkabuntag na naulian unya gipangutana namo utro unsa'y hinungdan nganong namusil siya, wa na siya nitubag," the police investigator further said.

The victim was rushed by his other brothers to the Visayas Community Medical Center and is now in stable condition.

The suspect's service firearm, a caliber .45 pistol, which was allegedly used in shooting the victim, was recovered shortly after a brief search, said Violango.

The suspect was submitted to a paraffin test and was detained at the CCPO stockade and is set for release tomorrow with the expiration of the reglamentary period since his brother had no interest to file a case against him, added Violango.

Chief Insp. Aileen Recla, chief of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB), said the suspect, however, will automatically face administrative charges.

"Indiscriminate firing is a grave misconduct, which is punishable under the Revised Penal Code. He may face either suspension or dismissal from the service," said Recla.— (FREEMAN)