Precinct commander relieved in Caloocan

Following the shootout of two policemen in the vicinity of his police precinct on Monday, Metro police chief Leopoldo Bataoil sacked yesterday the commander of Sub-Station 5 of the Caloocan City police.

Superintendent Diosdado Iniego, chief of Sub-Station 5 was administratively relieved pending an investigation of the shooting incident figuring PO3 John Molina and PO3 Hannibal Timbal.

Chief Superintendent Eric Javier, Northern Police District director placed Senior Inspector Avelino Protacio, as the officer-in-charge of Sub-Station 5. “I was directed to place Iniego on administrative relief while the investigation of the shooting incident is underway,” said Javier, adding that the police official could retake his post once cleared by the investigating body looking into the shooting.

In his report to Bataoil, Javier said the shooting incident stemmed from an altercation between Molina and Timbal, whom he ordered disarmed of their service firearms and the confiscation of their police badges. The duo was also relieved from their respective posts.

Molina, of PCP 17, and PO3 Timbal of Sub-Station 5 will be sent to the Regional Special Training Unit where they will undergo training on discipline and proper conduct.

Bataoil said that he would not take lightly any form of misconduct by policemen under him. “We will see to it that the immediate commander of the erring policeman is also held accountable following the doctrine of command responsibility,” he said.

Initial investigation showed, that Molina and his friends were having a drinking session at a vacant lot near Quirino Highway in front of Sub-Station 5 in Barangay Malaria when Timbal arrived at about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and confronted a certain Andak, which he later hit with a fist blow.

Molina intervened and tried to pacify Timbal but this triggered a heated verbal exchange between the two policemen. At the height of the heated argument, Javier said Molina challenged Timbal to a gun duel and fired his service pistol on the ground. Timbal tried to leave the place but Molina chased him and fired several shots in his direction.

Timbal returned his fire hitting Molina on the right ankle.

 Timbal voluntarily surrendered to Iniego after the incident.