Drunk cop pistol-whips pedicab driver

MANILA, Philippines – An off-duty police officer was arrested for allegedly pistol-whipping a pedicab driver during a minor traffic altercation Sunday afternoon in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, acting Caloocan City police chief, said Police Officer 1 Noel Sanggalang, 28, assigned at Police Community Precinct 5, was arrested at around 4:30 p.m. at the President Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center by police officers from PCP 7 under Senior Inspector Arnel Esmana.

Quibuyen said that Sanggalang, under the influence of liquor, was driving his motorcycle along J. P. Rizal street in Maypajo when he almost collided with a pedicab driven by Felicito Drabador, 41, at about 3:45 p.m.

This angered Sanggalang, who alighted from his motorcycle, drew his .9mm pistol and reportedly hit Drabador several times in the face. Sanggalang brought the victim to the barangay hall of Barangay 34 and left.

A few minutes later, both the victim and the suspect met at the same hospital but upon seeing Sanggalang, Drabador immediately left after being treated.

Sanggalang, who was still drunk, accused the guard on duty of letting Drabador go. The guard called for police assistance after Sanggalang created a scene.

Quibuyen said Sanggalang went to the hospital purportedly to also have a medical check-up. “He could have been anticipating of Drabador’s complaints so he acted to counter it by also seeking medical check-up,” Quibuyen said.

Quibuyen yesterday assured the complainant and his family that he would personally pursue the filing of proper charges against Sanggalang. – Pete Laude