CEBU, Philippines - A police patrol vehicle bringing confiscated electronic gambling machines to City Hall nearly hit and killed a member of the Barangay Intelligence Network guarding the City Hall annex building basement entrance after its handbrake allegedly malfunctioned.
Police Officer 1 Daniel Masecampo of the Parian police station was driving the patrol car and about to enter the basement of the City Hall to deliver four confiscated video karera and moli-moli slot machines when he was stopped by the BIN members.
The BIN members cautioned him that the blinkers on top of the patrol car exceeded the overhead clearance of the basement.
Masecampo disembarked to confirm this and got back into the vehicle, but instead of backing out the vehicle suddenly surged forward and smashed into two tables being used by the BIN members, destroying one and damaging the other.
“Gipara na ang patrol car kay mubo kaayo ang basement ug masangit man ang blinker lights ibabaw sa atop. Nanaug ang driver ug gitan-aw, apan pagbalik niya’g sakay wala pa gani kalingkod midagan man hinoon ang sakyanan ug midasmag sa mga lamesa,” witnesses said.
“Maayo gani kay nakadali ko pagtindog ug nakalihay. Diri g’yod sa akong luyo miagi ang patrol car,” said BIN member Charles Ledesma when interviewed by The FREEMAN shortly after the incident.
The rubberized bumper and the blinkers of the patrol vehicle, which were donated to the Parian police station only a month ago, were also damaged.
The desk officer of the Parian police station said Masecampo claimed the hand brake malfunctioned.
“Iya man kuno nga gi-hand brake pero wala lang mogunit,” he said.
City treasurer Ofelia Oliva, who arrived a few minutes after the patrol vehicle had left the City Hall, said she wants Masecampo suspended.
It was learned that the four video karera and moli-moli slot machines were earlier confiscated by the Parian police station from different places in barangay Kamagayan in line with its campaign against illegal gambling. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (FREEMAN NEWS)