PRO-7 cop faces criminal raps for "abusive action" in Siquijor

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — A policeman, who was earlier reported through a video post on Facebook, is now facing at least four criminal complaints for alleged abusive action and indiscriminate firing in Siquijor province early this month.

The policeman, identified as PO3 Allan Bautista, is now also undergoing a pre-charge evaluation to determine administrative liability.

Bautista, assigned to the Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) of the Police Regional Office-7 based in Cebu City, was also stripped of his issued firearm, according to Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas.

The government-issued Taurus 9-mm pistol of Bautista will be subjected to ballistics examination to determine a match with the spent shells recovered at the supposed crime scene in Siquijor, Lawas said.

Lawas, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO-7, said on Tuesday the four criminal complaints-grave threats, illegal discharge of firearm, violation of domicile and alarm and scandal-were filed by the complainant, Carlito Oriendo.

Oriendo, assisted by the Siquijor Police, filed the complaint against Bautista last June 20 before the Siquijor Prosecutor's Office uncer Criminal Case Numbers VII-05-2014F-0121, 0122, 0123 and 0124.

It was Oriendo, while appealing for assistance, who posted a video on Facebook showing a person, he identified as PO3 Bautista, wielding a firearm, shouting and firing his gun on June 11 at Candanay Norte in Siquijor town.

Lawas said initial investigation by his office showed Bautista, who hails from Talisay City in Cebu, was on leave at the time of the incident and was on a visit to the island-province of Siquijor, where he was previously assigned.

Bautista now continues to report for duty at the PRO-7 HRAO until it is determined if he will be charged administratively after the RIDMD, headed by Lawas, finishes its investigation.