MANILA, Philippines - A Marine and a Manila policeman fired their guns in the air at a wedding reception in Malabon City yesterday.
Marine T/Sgt. Hermogenes Fabul, 47, was arrested by members of the city’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, led by Senior Inspector Carlos Dilag, but Senior Police Officer 3 Tomas Murillo escaped.
Police confiscated a .45 caliber pistol, a magazine with 10 bullets and an empty magazine from Fabul.
Police Officer 3 Robert Miclat said Fadul and Murillo were celebrating the wedding of Fabul’s nephew in Barangay Tonsuya when the shooting happened.
Witnesses said Fabul, a sponsor at the wedding, was so carried away by the event that he pulled out his .45 caliber pistol and started firing in the air.
Murillo reportedly joined in and also fired his gun.
Flood victims lining up for relief in the area ran for cover as the two fired several shots into the air.
Miclat said purok leader Jennifer Ricardel-Loquez and barangay tanod Elena Soria-Borbe, 44, reprimanded Murillo, who allegedly cursed at the women and tried to manhandle them.
Borbe managed to free herself and called for police assistance.
Witnesses told Miclat that Fabul was so drunk he fell to the ground from the recoil of the pistol.
Malabon Prosecutor Ojer Pacis recommended the filing of charges of alarm and scandal and threats against Fadul and Murillo. – Jerry Botial