Manila cop axed for killing traffic enforcer  

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (QC PLEB) has dismissed from service a Manila policeman who shot dead a traffic enforcer on Oct. 13. Ruling on the administrative case filed by the victim’s common-law wife and friend, the QC PLEB dismissed Lt. Felixberto Tiquil for killing Edgar Abad Follero of the Quezon City department of public order and safety.

Tiquil, a member of the Manila Police District anti-car theft unit, shot Follero while he was helping a friend whose motorcycle broke down.

According to Paul Timothy delos Reyes, Follero helped him push his motorcycle from Pandacan in Manila to Roosevelt in Quezon City, where the shooting incident happened.

The policeman claimed that he mistook Follero and Delos Reyes as motorcycle thieves.

“We do not buy the alibi of Tiquil that he shot Follero because of self-defense. He claims to be a seasoned police officer, and yet at the slightest instance, his first instinct is to inflict a mortal wound on an innocent person,” said QC PLEB executive officer Rafael Calinisan.

“This is a clear violation of the Philippine National Police Rules of Procedure. Further, Tiquil also claims to have chased the victims from Nagtahan, Manila up to Roosevelt, Quezon City. How can people pushing a defective motorcycle outrun a seasoned cop on a motorbike? We are more than convinced that Tiquil was not being truthful in his narrative of what happened,” he added.

Follero’s common-law wife, Charilyn Pagsibigan, welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude to the QC PLEB for the immediate resolution of the case they filed.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the QC PLEB’s decision should serve as a warning to rogue police officers that they will be held accountable in Quezon City.

“The resolution of this case is a triumph for justice. In less than 60 days from the filing of the complaint, the PLEB was able to resolve this matter with utmost impartiality and dispatch,” she said.

“The wheels of justice run fast here in Quezon City, without fear or favor. I again commend the PLEB QC for their prompt action in helping out the ‘little one’ in need,” added Belmonte.

An earlier report said that a separate murder charge was filed against Tiquil before the city prosecutor’s office.