Cop in hot water for pointing gun at a civilian

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman assigned in Argao town is facing an administrative complaint before the Cebu Provincial Police Office for allegedly pointing his gun at a civilian inside a cockpit arena last week.

Police Officer 2 Nilo Branzuela Jr. was accused by Chad Branzuela of pointing a gun at him on November 16 at 6:30 p.m. inside the cockpit arena in Barangay Talaga.

Chad filed the complaint yesterday at the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch.

The complainant said that prior to the incident he accidentally stepped on the foot of the policeman’s errand boy.

“Kana iyang bata-bata natumban nako sa sud sa buwangan ‘nya nagkomprontasi me niuli na iyang bata-bata nipahaba niya,” the complainant said.

Moments later, while he bought a pack of cigarettes inside the cockpit arena, the policeman allegedly collared him and pointed his gun at him twice.

 “Nagpalit ko’g sigarilyo sulod sa buwangan nahibung ko kay iya na kong gikwelyohan sulod sa buwangan, ‘nya niingon siya nako nga wa ba ka kahibaw nga ako ni’ng tawo nganung imo ni’ng gihilabtan,” the complainant narrated.

Chad said he admitted having stepped on the foot of the policeman’s errand boy but he told the policeman that he had already apologized.

However, the policeman attempted to hit him with his gun but did not pursue because there were plenty of people around. The complainant said the policeman even challenged him to a fight.

The policeman denied the accusation. He explained that the complainant was very arrogant. PO2 Branzuela said he only responded to a call for help from his police asset.

“Nagrespondi ko ana sir ang biktima ana asset na namo sa police station sir. Ako siyang gikompronta nganung gisumbag niya ang biktima nga akong silingan ra pod. Unya pag-abot nako ngadto arogante man kaayo siya’g tinubagan. Ako siyang gidesisyonan nga magkuyog mi sa barangay pero di man siya mokuyog mao to ang biktima maoy akong gikuyogan nga nagpa-blotter,” the policeman said.

CPPO director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac welcomed the complaint lodged at PIDMB.

Gillamac said he wants all policemen to be well-disciplined and he does not tolerate any violation of human rights committed by policemen.

 “As much as possible we want our policemen to be disciplined and I will not tolerate this illegal activities or mga binuhatan nga wala masubay sa atong advocacy sa human rights,” Gillamac said.— (FREEMAN)