Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Pedro Tango ordered yesterday a manhunt for the Navotas Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) cop who shot dead a colleague Saturday morning.
Tango also directed Superintendent Rafael Santiago Jr., NPD-District Investigation and Detective Management Division (DIDMD) chief, to conduct a parallel investigation into the killing of Police Officer 1 Nelson Gloriani, which was reportedly triggered by a “petty misunderstanding.”
Gloriani was shot at least six times by PO2 Roy Iguin at the gate of Navotas Fish Port Complex, a few steps away from their outpost on Road 10, Barangay North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) at around 9:30 a.m.
Gloriani was on his way out of the Fish Port Complex after a late breakfast from an eatery inside when met by Iguin, who was about to report for work.
Witnesses observed the two police officers talking but were surprised when Iguin pulled out his 9-millimeter pistol and fired at Gloriani, killing him on the spot.
Navotas City police chief Senior Superintendent Erick Reyes said the incident started with a “simple teasing” as he belied reports that “there was more to the incident that meets the eye.”
“We will certainly know the truth once we arrest Iguin. The truth would always come out,” Reyes told The STAR in a text message.
Santiago, for his part, said the initial result of their investigation revealed that the incident could have been sparked by Gloriani, a “bully” who constantly badgered Iguin, described by his colleagues as a “quiet type.”
Santiago urged Iguin to “turn himself in to clarify matters and to defend himself in the proper forum.”
“I think it is now high time that the police organization must also look into the emotional and psychological needs of our cops for many of them could be suffering from too much stress due to work pressure,” Santiago said. – Pete Laude