2 NPD cops charged for shootings

MANILA, Philippines - Two Northern Police District (NPD) policemen are now facing administrative cases after they were tagged in separate shootings in Caloocan City several months ago.

In separate letters sent this week to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), NPD director Chief Superintendent Edgar Layon said the NPD’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) took cognizance of the administrative aspect of the cases involving Police Officer 3 Fernante Zapanta and Senior Police Officer 1 Marvin San Juan.

NPD-IAS head Senior Superintendent Bernadito Olivete, in another letter, added that the cases against the two police officers have already been forwarded to the Office of the Regional IAS for the conduct of summary hearing procedures.

Olivete said their office found probable cause to file administrative cases against Zapanta and San Juan, who were previously assigned to the Malabon and Caloocan City police stations, respectively.

Zapanta was involved in a shooting in Barangay 14, Caloocan City on July 21 that resulted in the death of Nicasio Lim Rosello.

Initial investigation showed that Zapanta tried to pacify the victim, who was at the time carrying a .38 caliber revolver. A witness said the police officer shot the victim several times after the latter poked his gun at him.

Meanwhile, San Juan was involved in a shooting on Aug. 25 that resulted in the death of Aquilino Elesterio in Barangay 35, also in Caloocan City.

A report of the incident said San Juan was at a basketball court when a commotion among men in the area ensued. A witness said the policeman tried to stop the commotion by pulling out his gun and firing three shots to the ground as warning shots.

However, one of the bullets ricocheted and accidentally hit Elesterio in the chest, killing him. San Juan surrendered to the Caloocan City police following the incident.