CCPO to probe cop who ‘shot’ 6 tanods

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office will be investigating their personnel who allegedly shot barangay tanods in Barangay Mantalongon, Barili town last Tuesday.

If proven guilty of the accusation, PO2 Anselmo Delos Santos will face the highest form of sanction which is dismissal from the PNP service, said Chief Insp. Aileen Recla, chief of CCPO’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch.

“Grave offense man ang iyang gibuhat. (What he did was a grave offense.)” said Recla.

Recla said they are urging the victims to come forward and file a complaint so that they can proceed with the investigation.

She added that the Regional Internal Affairs Service of the Police Regional Office 7 will also conduct a motu proprio investigation on the incident involving Delos Santos, who is assigned at a police station under CCPO.

Delos Santos, who has been arrested for gun ban violation and illegal possession of firearm two months ago, figured in another incident as he reportedly shot six barangay tanods in Barangay Mantalongon last Tuesday evening.

Victims Lyndon Anore, Jose Soroño, Roderick Soroño, Julian Soroño, Arnulfo Taburada, and Nonito Ellado then took cover and luckily survived unscathed.

The police officer was reportedly under the influence of liquor when he suddenly shot at the barangay tanods with his 9mm pistol.

The suspect, who left behind his firearm, is being hunted down after escaping towards Cebu City.

The police officer was reportedly irked at the barangay tanods for allegedly acting as the informant that resulted to his arrest two months ago, a few days before the May 10 elections.  (FREEMAN)