Cop’s pistol used in crime

CEBU, Philippines - A rookie policeman is facing possible administrative investigation after losing his service pistol to a former security guard, who used the gun to shoot a waiter in a restobar in Barangay Kamagayan last Saturday evening.

Police Officer 1 Adrian Aton, assigned at the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division of the Police Regional Office (RIDMD-PRO) 7, was in a restobar along Osmeña Boulevard together with the suspect, Rampi Cabañero, when the latter claimed the policeman’s firearm deposited at the bar’s counter and shot the waiter.

Raymund Bayarcal, 26, sustained gunshot wounds in his left foot and right buttocks. He was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center where he is now in stable condition.

Homicide investigator, PO1 Reoful Adalim, said that Aton was invited by Cabañero to have some drinks at the restobar where he used to be detailed as security guard.

Since Aton was on his day-off, the policeman accepted the invitation. As a matter of procedure, Aton deposited his .45 cal. service pistol at the counter before entering the restobar. He was given a claim tag by the personnel at the counter.

Aton and Cabañero were allegedly in the middle of their drinking when the latter stole the claim tag and retrieved the gun from the counter. Cabañero immediately shot Bayarcal twice before fleeing with the policeman’s service pistol.

Homicide investigators found out that Cabañero of Glempco Security Agency was terminated from his work earlier that day after the victim reported to the restobar’s management he broke house rules again.

According to the police, Cabañero harbored a personal grudge against Bayarcal because he was responsible for his termination. Bayarcal told the police that he reported to his supervisor that the suspect let a customer inside for free again. Since it was his fourth violation, Cabañero was fired from his job.

Aton, who is now under police custody for investigation, said the assailant was just an acquaintance who invited him to the restobar.

“Gihagad daw siya na ‘laag ta’ kay naa daw siya’y kaila sa Dark Planet. Wa siya kahibaw na na-football na diay ang gwardya didto,” Adalim said.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, said Aton will face administrative charges for carrying a firearm inside the bar.

While off-duty policemen can carry their service firearm anywhere and anytime, Santander said Aton should have not brought it with him to a drinking place.

“Granted makaresponde siya bisag off-duty siya, makaresponde pa diay ka kung hubog na ka? Mag-unsa man ka sud sa bar, di ba?” Santander opined, adding that the policeman admitted he was already drunk when the incident happened.

Except in malls, he said policemen should not bring firearms to drinking places or to similar places like KTV bars or cockpit arenas.

The CIB chief said he will talk with Homicide Section personnel today for the filing of administrative charges against Aton.

Santander said they are now looking for the assailant who is allegedly hiding in his brother’s town. The assailant’s brother, who is a policeman, has reportedly assured the police to surrender his brother, said Santander. — /FPL (FREEMAN)