2 cops, 1 barangay officer held for causing panic

MANILA, Philippines — Two policemen and a barangay officer were arrested on Saturday for allegedly causing panic in Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque.

Police received a report of indiscriminate firing at around 1:40 a.m. at Multinational Village, according to a National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) report.

Upon responding to the scene, police found five people, including two operatives from the Quezon City Police District’s criminal investigation and detection unit, lying face down on the floor and being restrained by Barangay Moonwalk executive officer Sabino Garcia III.

The two lawmen were identified as S/Sgts. Roland Mansibang and Elmer Potoy while the others were John Michael Esquerra, Arnold Nongui and Lynryrd Floyd Oyon-oyon.

Based on initial investigation, Garcia fired warning shots from his shotgun when he responded to a report of a purported sale of high-caliber firearms.

“In order to restrain the other suspects, he (Garcia) fired his service firearm, (which) caused panic, alarm and public scandal in the area,” the NCRPO said.

However, when police searched the men Garcia had restrained, they found that the men were carrying their work-issued firearms.

The NCRPO said Garcia “responded on his own without coordinating first and seeking assistance from the police authorities.”

The two police officers, along with the three other men, were allegedly conducting a casing and surveillance operation on an alleged exchange of firearms and illegal drugs.

“No selling of firearms nor exchange of illegal drugs were consummated,” the NCRPO said.

Police said charges of alarm and scandal as well as violation of Section 31 of Republic Act 4136, a provision of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code on the illegal use of license plates, would be filed against the five men Garcia restrained.

Garcia himself will face a charge of alarm and scandal before the Parañaque prosecutor’s office.