Cop runs amuck after losing at cards

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman went on a rampage after losing around P10,000 during a card game in Camarin, Caloocan City shortly before midnight Sunday.

Police Officer 1 Andrei Punzal, assigned at the Police Community Precinct 5, was on a losing streak when his fellow players, his neighbors, decided to stop the tong-its game, Barugo police station chief Superintendent Reydante Ariza said.

Punzal urged the other players to continue, but they refused “because he had no more money,” Ariza said.

Punzal then drew his service firearm and shot Nestor Francisco in the legs. 

Caloocan police chief Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante ordered Punzal arrested and charged with frustrated murder.

Francisco told police he will not file charges so long as Punzal shoulders his hospital expenses. Bustamante, however, said criminal and administrative charges will still be filed against Punzal.

Drunk shooting

In Tondo, Manila, a policeman was hurt when his colleague accidentally shot him during a drinking spree before dawn Sunday.

Police Officer 1 Conceso Mirasol, detailed at the National Capital Region Police Office’s Regional Personnel Holding and Administrative Unit, was hit in the right foot by a bullet fired from the gun of PO1 Gerald Paguinto.

According to a police report, the two policemen and Police Officer 2 Longgaguit Harem, a member of the police Maritime Group, were drinking in front of Mirasol’s house at around 3:30 a.m. when they decided to accost Tolentino Malubay, 44, who was walking by.

Malubay told investigators that the three policemen pointed a gun at his chest, and shot at the ground twice. He said a bullet hit Mirasol when Paguinto fired the gun a second time.

Mirasol was taken to the Mary Johnston Medical Center. He went home after being treated.