Cop charged for poking gun at gas station attendant

MANILA, Philippines - A Valenzuela City policeman was charged yesterday for allegedly using his gun to threaten a gas station attendant who filled his jeep’s tank with the wrong type of fuel.

Senior Police Officer 2 Rajean Mirando, 48, is being held at the Manila Police District’s general assignment section pending his inquest on charges of grave threats and violating the election gun ban after pump attendant Jun Velardo filed a complaint against him.

Velardo, 25, told SPO1 James Poso that Mirando arrived at the gas station along Rizal Avenue before 3 p.m. Friday and asked that his tank be filled with unleaded gasoline. He said he mistakenly filled up the tank with diesel.

Poso said Velardo and Mirando argued, but the police officer agreed to settle the issue by allowing Velardo to drain his tank and replace the diesel with unleaded gasoline.

However, Mirando demanded that Velardo also replace the gasoline stored in his tank – approximately five liters – prior to the transaction. Velardo refused, and the policeman allegedly drew his gun and threatened the pump attendant, Poso said.

One of the other attendants called the nearest police station and Mirando was arrested. The policeman refused to comment, other than to say he will answer the charges in the proper forum.