Cop in hot water for ‘misconduct’

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer assigned at the Human Rights Affairs Office of the Police Regional Office-7 illegally discharged his firearm and challenged a complainant while reportedly under the influence of liquor in Candaway Norte, Siquijor, Siquijor.

Police Officer 3 Allan Bautista is now facing five criminal charges and an administrative case for grave misconduct said Superintendent Henry Biñas, deputy chief of the Regional Investigation Detective and Management Division.

Bautista was on leave when he went home to Siquijor and when the incident happened on June 11. This prompted PRO-7 Director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas to recall Bautista’s leave and directed RIDMD for an investigation.

Biñas said complainant Carlito Oriendo and some witnesses executed affidavits to pursue filing of criminal charges for grave threat, alarms and scandal, violation of domicile and illegal discharge of firearm against Bautista.

“Dunay video nga na-upload sa YouTube pero it’s hard to trace the source unya pwede man hearsay na but what is important here is the affidavits of the witnesses and the complainant,” Biñas told reporters.

There were also two empty shells recovered in the scene. But police are yet to determine if empty shells came from the 9mm issued pistol of Bautista.

The firearm was submitted to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City for ballistics examination.

Initial investigation of the RIDMD revealed Bautista was under the influence of alcohol when he had an argument with Oriendo last June 11. It reached to the point where Bautista went inside the house of Oriendo and aimed his pistol, police said.

Biñas said Bautista was then convinced by his companion to go out of the house and there he opened fire twice.

“Two days after the issue was learned by the regional director, his (Bautista) leave was immediately cancelled,” Biñas said, adding that Bautista will not be relieved from his post as it cannot hamper their investigation.

For his part, Bautista said he has to face the charges against him which was already filed at the fiscal’s office in Siquijor.

“Wala ko’y mahimo ana kay na-file na…adto sa ko sa akong abogado,” he said, refusing to comment further.

But Atty. Christopher Ruiz said Bautista approached him but he is still waiting for the complaint to assess what charges were filed.

“There was no formal engagement yet but he asked me to be his legal counsel,” Ruiz said.  (FREEMAN)