Cop under fire for allegedly firing gun outside work

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman is in hot water after he allegedly fired his gun during a commotion in Barangay Guadalupe dawn yesterday.

Complainants Joshua Jacalan, Samuel Quijada, both 22 years old, and a certain Chaki Mondoñedo, alleged that PO1 Daniel Masecampo of the Pari-an Police Station fired his gun several times at the Quijada compound.

The complainants said they were attending a despedida party at the compound when Masecampo and his companions who were allegedly already drunk, accused them of stealing their slippers. Masecampo was reportedly off-duty at that time.

A commotion then ensued between the two groups during which Masecampo allegedly fired his gun five times into the air. The complainants alleged further that Masecampo’s companions also mauled them.

City Police Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador yesterday directed the Guadalupe police led by Sr. Insp. Mario Monilar and the City Investigation and Detective Management Branch led by Chief. Insp. George Ylanan to investigate the incident.

Comendador said Masecampo’s side of the story will be heard, but the policeman did not report for work yesterday.

“Ato usa study-han sad iyang allegations. Ato tan-awon if naa ba’y necessity sa iyang pagpabuto sa armas. I-secure gyud na when he fires a warning shot, he may not harm the people,” Comendador said.

Comendador said Masecampo was no longer in the area when responding operatives of the Mobile Patrol Group arrived. The team did not recover a firearm, but recovered a slug of an unknown caliber.

Comendador identified Masecampo as the one tested positive of illegal drugs during the random drug testing among policemen. He was also subject of an investigation for being absent without filing an official leave.    (FREEMAN NEWS)