RMF cops arrested in Negros, Quirino over holiday shootings

MANILA, Philippines —  Two members of the Regional Mobile Force (RMF) were arrested in Pulupandan town, Negros Occidental and in Maddela town, Quirino after two shooting incidents that led to the death of three people during Christmas revelries.

Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police director, said Cpl. Armin Alanza, an  RMF Battalion 6 member, was nabbed and detained at the Pulupandan police station after shooting two construction workers who were buying beer at a store.

One of the workers, identified only as alias Joman, was declared dead on arrival at Valladolid district hospital where his companion, alias Jomarie, is recuperating.

“While we may be quick to reward those who perform extraordinary deeds in pursuit of their duties and responsibilities, we are also quick to (get) rid (of) and dismiss those who violate our rules and regulations, much more be involved in criminal activities,” Wanky said in a statement, as he vowed to conduct an impartial probe.

In Quirino, Pat. Dave Macanas, an RMF Batallion 15 commando, was arrested along with four companions after a shooting incident that led to the death of two Christmas revelers.

Police said Macanas was with his friends from Itogon, Benguet when a brawl erupted in a resto bar in Barangay Villa Hermosa Norte in Maddela.

The brawl led to the shooting of EJ Rodriguez and Crisel Cayong who were celebrating with another group on Christmas eve.

Rodriguez and Cayong died from gunshot wounds. Four of their companions were also injured.

Macanas and his group tried to escape in a van, but were intercepted by Quirino police in Barangay Palacian in Aglipay town.