Metro police chief’s kin nabbed for gun-toting

A businessman who introduced himself as a distant cousin of Metro Manila police chief Director Geary Barias was arrested past midnight yesterday after seven men accused him of pointing a gun at them during a road altercation in Quezon City.

Since Romualdo Lingan presented a license for and a permit to carry his Gloc .9mm handgun, the only case that may be filed against him is that of issuing grave threats, said Superintendent Edgardo Pamitan, deputy commander of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 6.

Barias, who acknowledged that Lingan is a relative, told Pamitan that the businessman “should face any consequence if he really committed an offense.”

Pamitan said the incident happened at around 1 a.m. along the IBP Road leading to Violago Subdivision.

Complainants Rei Melbourne Zapyo, Noel Romero, 22; Chrismel Dela Cruz, Alvin Salvador, John Basco, Arthur Abad, and Peterson Bagos, said they were crossing the road when Lingan suddenly got out of his car and pointed a gun at them.

Lingan said he got out of the vehicle because he thought the group was about to gang up on him. He said there had been reports of robberies on IBP Road.  – Reinir Padua