2 tourism cops arrested for threats

Two members of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) security force who tried to pass themselves off as regular policemen were arrested after threatening to shoot people inside a nightclub in Caloocan City early yesterday morning.

Superintendent Dionisio Borromeo, Station Intelligence and Investigation Division (SIID) chief identified the suspects as Alex Lazaro, 32, single, of 56 Aracily Street, Barangay Tenejeros, Malabon City and Lawrence Alcantara, 30, single, of 8 Melchor Pacheco Village, Valenzuela City.

In a statement, the DOT said Secretary Richard Gordon has placed Alcantara and Lazaro under preventive suspension after it was determined that there was a prima facie case against them.

Gordon said he was displeased that the two illegally carried their service firearms beyond their tour of duty and ordered that they face a formal inquiry by the DOJ Discipline Committee. They were given three days to submit their verified answers to the charges filed against them.

The suspects were arrested on the complaint of Romero Zamora, 25, waiter, resident of Black 6, Lot 7, Mahogany Street, Rainbow Homes II, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Police records showed the gun poking incident occurred at around 12:30 a.m. at the Love Boat KTV Bar and Restaurant along MacArthur Highway.

It was gathered that the two were enjoying the show when one of them ordered Zamora to buy a pack of cigarette. Zamora said he politely refused and told them to wait awhile as he was yet attending to another customer. This was allegedly resented by the two who allegedly whipped out their caliber .38 revolvers. A passing police mobile car prevented what could have been more trouble.

Gordon said there was no room for abusive tourism policemen in his department, adding that the tourism police should serve as models of professionalism in government service. "Guns and liquor don’t mix. We will throw the book at them. These tourism police should show our best face to the public." – Jerry Botial