Mandaluyong cop clean, says crime lab

A Mandaluyong City policeman accused of indiscriminate firing on New Year’s Eve in Makati City did not fire any weapon.

Southern Police District Scene of the Crime Operatives (SPD-SOCO) said yesterday PO3 Virgilio Bismonte, of the Mandaluyong City police criminal investigation division (CID) tested negative for powder burns.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), also clarified that no formal charges have been filed against Bismonte so far.

Despite the development, however, the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) will push through with a separate investigation of Bismonte. Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco has directed intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Gil Meneses to dig deeper into the case, determine the culpability of Bismonte and file necessary charges against him.

"We have not seen a copy of the SOCO report yet," said Meneses claiming he would summon the Mandaluyong cop to appear before him next week.

Meneses pointed out that Bismonte’s claim that he tested negative for powder burns and that his gun showed no traces of nitrates was "self-serving."

"Any statement Bismonte issues regarding the case would remain self-serving. We want him to put his statement under oath and prescribed by a competent officer," Meneses said in an interview.

Earlier, Bismonte’s neighbors in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City positively identified him as the one who fired a gun at the height of the New Year revelry. But Bismonte pointed to a friend of a cousin as the culprit.

Responding elements of the Police Community Precinct 9 (PCP9) of the Makati City police recovered three spent shells of a caliber 9mm pistol at the crime scene.

Sacramento said Bismonte’s issued firearm was deposited at headquarters before he was allowed to home last Dec. 31.