Cop eludes alarm and scandal case

CEBU, Philippines - The alarm and scandal case against a police officer who was alleged of illegally discharging his gun was dismissed by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office when it was filed Wednesday.

The case was dismissed by city prosecutor Nicolas Sellon for it did not have sufficient evidence proving that Police Officer 3 Neri Cahimat was firing his issued .45 cal. pistol at the sand and gravel along Mango Square, Cebu City Sunday.

Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, Fuente Police Station chief, said both security guards who were at the area at that time refused to execute their affidavits due to fear.

“Ang usa man gud ka guard nakadungog lang unya ang usa katong nakakita wala gyud ni-execute og affidavit maong na-dismiss ang kaso,” Tiu said.

Police also submitted the pistol of Cahimat, which they thought was not used in firing due to its dirty barrel.

Due to this, Cahimat was released from Fuente police stockade.

Tiu said Cahimat might be able to escape from his criminal liability but not in his administrative liability. They are now letting the Regional Internal Affairs Service to take charge of Cahimat’s case.

Cahimat was accused of discharging his pistol while drunk during a drinking session with his friends in a bar in Barangay Kamputhaw.

Tiu and his team responded the alarm and arrested Cahimat who was off duty at that time as assigned at the Mabolo Police Station.

Cahimat surrendered his pistol but police failed to recover any slug or empty shell.

Tiu believed that Cahimat and his companions were able to keep the firearm used and the empty shell or slug, which police failed to prove.

Cahimat was arrested and subjected for paraffin test but refused.

He, however, believed that he was innocent of the accusations pointed against him.  (FREEMAN)