Cop clarifies gun incident

The motorist, who appeared in a STAR photo that showed him brandishing a gun in the middle of traffic in Pandacan, Manila, turned out to be a policeman responding to an incident.

Police Officer 2 Joseph Fernando Ruiz, detailed at the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) in Camp Crame and a member of the Rizal Shooters Club, said he wanted to clear himself of impropriety in handling firearms.

"There was no attempt on my part to intimidate peace-loving motorists with my action of pulling out my service firearm. It was only part of police intervention to prevent two motorists from quarreling in the middle of the street," Ruiz said in a phone interview with The STAR.

The officer said he was prompted to intervene when he noticed the absence of policemen in the vicinity.

"I also observed proper gun handling by not pointing my gun at any person. My gun was always pointed downwards as can be seen in the photo," Ruiz added.

His story on the incident was collaborated by JB del Rosario, a producer of the sports show GamePlan.

Del Rosario was with Ruiz inside his car on their way to Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters to shoot a segment on the officer, who was being featured for a segment on PNP shooters.

In a letter sent to PSPO chief Gen. Edgardo Doromal, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, Del Rosario defended the action of Ruiz in pulling out a gun, saying "in no moment did he point the gun at any person, the gun was always pointed downwards."

Del Rosario said they noticed an altercation between a taxi driver and another motorist. The taxi driver was armed with a tire wrench while the other was holding a metal chain.

Sensing both were on the verge of attacking each other and there were no policemen in the area at that time, Ruiz got out of the car and identified himself as a police officer and pacified the two fighting men, Del Rosario said. "At the time the picture was taken, Ruiz had already resolved the issue between the two motorists."

Ruiz said he feared that a more serious incident could have occurred on that Wednesday afternoon if he had not immediately responded.

He said his action has been cleared by his superiors, and that he would respond no differently "to maintain peace and order in the streets."