Cop accused of firing gun outside bar

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman was accused of firing his gun after having some drinks with friends at a bar in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Responding to a complaint from a resident, police officers arrested Police Officer 1 Wilson Samonte, 23, for allegedly going out of the bar and firing his gun, scaring motorists and passersby, then going back inside at around 4 a.m. They took his 9mm pistol, magazine with four bullets and his badge.

No one was hit by the shot fired by Samonte, who is assigned with the National Capital Region Police Office’s Regional Public Safety Battalion.

Senior Police Officer 1 Johnny Mahilum said they were preparing charges of alarm and scandal and illegal possession of firearms against Samonte.

Mahilum said Samonte claimed he went out to load his gun as he was supposedly getting ready to leave. He claimed the gun went off. Samonte has yet to present his gun license and permit to carry outside his residence.