Raps filed vs cop who fired gun

CEBU, Philippines - Charges have been filed against the policeman who was arrested Sunday for allegedly firing his gun outside a bar along General Maxilom Avenue.

PO3 Neri Cahimat chose not to file his counter-affidavit with prosecutors and to answer the charges directly in court. He also refused to undergo a paraffin test, saying he is confident that he did not fire his caliber .45 pistol.

Even without the test, Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, chief of the Fuente police, said testimonial evidence is sufficient to prosecute Cahimat in the illegal discharge of firearm and alarm and scandal cases, as well as in the administrative case for less grave misconduct.

“Lig-on nga evidence ang testimonial and we also have the traces kung asa gipabuto ang firearm,” Tiu said.

Jesusito Barbosa, security guard of Mango Square Mall, who called for police assistance, also issued an affidavit.

Cahimat surrendered a gun, which Tiu believed was not the one fired because of its dirty barrel. Police also failed to recover any slug or empty shell from the scene.

Tiu said it is possible that Cahimat and his companions managed to keep the firearm used and the empty shell or slug.

PNP medico-legal-officer Dr. Nestor Sator said it is Cahimat’s right to refuse the paraffin test but it could have been the best way to clear his name if he is indeed innocent.

“Paraffin gyud unta for the investigation but wala ta’y mahimo kung di siya… so ang ako lang kung tinuod nga wala siya’y gitaguan, mas maayo gyud unta nga magpa-paraffin siya…di sad ta makaingon nga guilty apan dunay possibility,” Sator said.

A liquor test confirmed Cahimat was drunk at the time of the incident. He allegedly fired his issued gun for unknown reasons and despite the fact that he was off duty at that time.

He reportedly came from the Mabolo Police Station where he is assigned and was heading home when invited by friends to some drinks.

All of them were brought to the Fuente Police Station following the incident but Cahimat’s six companions were released subsequently. — /JMO (FREEMAN)