Cop in jail for drugs, indiscriminate firing

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman is now in jail after he allegedly fired his gun indiscriminately, wounded a man in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, and yielded packs of shabu midnight yesterday.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander identified him as Waterfront Police Station's PO3 Ruben Perater, who had with him four huge packs of suspected shabu worth around P100,000 when accosted by fellow policemen.

Perater, a resident of Barangay Guadalupe, also surrendered an M16 baby armalite, caliber .45 and 9mm pistols.

Santander said they first received a call informing them on a burst of gunfire heard at the third floor of an apartment in sitio Mahayahay.

Personnel of the CIB, Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team and San Nicolas Police Station responded to the alarm.

Santander said that when they arrived in the area and even after introducing themselves as law enforcers, the indiscriminate firing continued.

"It was as if they were insulting our presence. Sige gihapon sila og pabuto bisan naa na mi ug nagpaila na mi na mga pulis. (They keep on firing their guns even when we already announced our presence as policemen)," said Santander.

He said they did not know yet that time that they were dealing with a policeman.

Santander said they proceeded to the third floor and eventually arrested Perater and his three male companions.

Apart from the firearms and shabu packs found in Perater's bag, several empty gun cartridges as well as police uniforms were also seen in the area.

Santander said the uniforms were possibly worn by Perater's companions, who may have acted as policemen.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Perater admitted firing his gun.

"Ni-return fire lang ko to demoralize the personnel didto (there)," he said.

The policeman said he just wanted to have lights installed by his companions in the apartment, which he just bought for P750,000 from one Junjun Baldesamo.

"Pag-3 nagpinirmahay mi unya pag-4 ni-take over nako but nasuko siya kay gi-pressure daw nako og pahawa ang tua didto. Didto man lang ko gabii kay patauran unta og kuryente kay giputlan man niya og kuryente didto. (On Nov, 13, we signed the papers for the sale of the apartment unit and the next day I took over as the new owner. He got angry because I was allegedly pressuring the occupants to already leave. I was just there to have power restored by my companions because he had it cut off)," Perater said, referring to Baldesamo.

Perater said he has the documents to prove his claim and that Santander and his men should have arrested Baldesamo for trespassing and not him.

"Nahiubos lagi ko nila kay ilang kong giunay pagdakop. (I'm disappointed with my fellow policemen for arresting me)," he said.

Santander said Perater would be criminally charged for possession of illegal drugs and possible illegal possession of firearms.

Perater would also face a frustrated murder charge if person he injured would file a case against him. — (FREEMAN)