ILOILO City – A police officer was arrested and is facing dismissal from the service for firing a gun and for allegedly mauling a civilian during a Christmas party in Barangay Gogo, Estancia, Iloilo on December 22.
Police Major Carl Jerome Tingala, chief of the Estancia Municipal Police Station (MPS), said the cop with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant was a patrol team leader of the station.
The said cop identified only by the alias “Tim” was already disarmed, relieved from his post and temporarily assigned at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) while investigation was ongoing, according to Tingala.
The police chief confirmed that Tim was off-duty when the incident happened.
He faces both criminal and administrative charges. The criminal charges include slight physical injury, illegal discharge of a firearm, and resistance and disobedience to an agent of a person in authority. His administrative cases are simple misconduct in relation to slight physical injuries, less grave misconduct in relation to resistance or disobedience, grave misconduct in relation to discharge of a firearm, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Tingala said his administrative cases are tantamount to dismissal from the service if proven guilty.
Investigation revealed that on December 22 at around 2 a.m., a commotion ensued between two civilians during a Christmas party.
At the time, Tim, who was reportedly drunk and in civilian clothes, had just arrived and allegedly mauled one civilian.
Barangay officials attempted to pacify him; however, he fired his gun.
Tim later surrendered to his colleagues but was released from jail on December 26 after posting bail./PN
