NCRPO probes shootings by cops

MANILA, Philippines - The spate of shooting incidents involving policemen in Metro Manila prompted Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales to order yesterday the strict implementation of an existing Philippine National Police (PNP) policy banning policemen from carrying firearms while drinking in public places.

Rosales said Senior Police Officer 1 Hassan Baharan and PO2 Eugenio Amaro were under the influence of liquor when they were involved in shooting incidents in Baesa and Tandang Sora, both in Quezon City.

He said he will have policemen who violate the law dismissed from the police force. He directed his five district directors and 37 station commanders to closely supervise their personnel to avoid similar incidents, which placed the PNP in a bad light.

However, he commended the timely response of policemen in both incidents, though he is saddened by the unnecessary loss of life, particularly that of PO2 Joaquin Angid, a member of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 3, and Nina Ramos, a civilian.

Reports showed that Baharan, accompanied by his live-in partner, Ramos, accosted some persons gambling at a wake in Barangay Baesa last Nov. 17.

When Ramos tried to pacify Baharan, who was drunk, she triggered a heated argument until Bahasan shot her dead using a .45 caliber pistol.

Baharan wore his police uniform, commandeered a tricycle and fled but was chased by barangay officials. The pursuit attracted the attention of Angid and PO2 Ayub Abdullah, who were then patrolling Tandang Sora Avenue.

When the responding policemen flagged down the tricycle, Baharan shot Angid and Abdullah, who had to defend themselves and secure other civilians in the area. Baharan and Angid died in the firefight while Abdullah is being treated at a hospital.

Meanwhile, Amaro and his companions, Jayson Valencia, 20; Eric de la Cruz, 28, and Edwin Elijer, 31, got into trouble at a bar and in Talipapa, Quezon City at 1:40 a.m. yesterday.

Superintendent Alex Sintin, commander of the QCPD Station 3, cited witnesses saying Amaro allegedly approached two women at the bar to dance with them. But since the women were already drunk, their companions stopped them but Amaro dragged one of the women away, triggering a brawl.

Case investigator Police Officer 3 Jaime Jimena said Valencia, a son of South Caloocan police station head Superintendent Jose Valencia, went out of the bar and came back carrying a .45 caliber pistol and a 9mm pistol, which he handed over to Amaro, assigned at the Caloocan City police. The two men reportedly fired several shots, which caused the bar’s patrons to panic.

The suspects also fired at the responding policemen before fleeing in a dark green Honda Civic (UAR 345) towards Quirino Highway. A running gun battle ensued until the suspects were subdued in front of the Baesa Fire Brigade Station. Valencia sustained gunshot wounds and died on the way to a nearby hospital.

Amaro said their group never used their guns. Superintendent Lino Banaag, head of the QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said the four men, including the younger Valencia, will be subjected to paraffin tests to check if they fired their guns.

Rosales said there were no personal fights between the policemen.

“These incidents are just clear examples that the police will not hesitate to enforce the law, maintain order, and uphold public safety and security regardless of who are involved and even if it means sacrificing their own life in the process,” he said.

Rosales directed Chief Superintendent Sammy Pagdilao, director of the Northern Police District to institute administrative proceedings against Amaro if investigators find him liable.   – With Reinir Padua