Caloocan public safety worker pistol-whips neighbor

MANILA, Philippines - A public safety personnel was arrested for allegedly pistol-whipping his neighbor Wednesday night in Caloocan City.

Police identified the suspect as Melito Bolante, 53, a member of Caloocan City Hall Reformed Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management.

Police Officer 1 Femar Taguinod and Barangay 176 watchmen Antonio Lacson, Nestor Herrera and Ric Jamisolamin arrested Bolante at about 10 p.m.

Joselito Baleguia, 25, a vendor and neighbor of Bolante in Barangay 176 in Bagong Silang, told police that Bolante and two others beat him up without provocation along an alley in their area.

Not contented with punching him, Bolante, who was drunk, reportedly hit Baleguia with his .38 caliber revolver on the head several times.

Bolante only stopped hitting the victim when he saw that Baleguia was already bloody. Bystanders brought the victim to the Tala Medical Hospital for treatment.

Police and barangay watchmen immediately arrested Bolante and seized from the suspect an unlicensed .38 caliber revolver with bullets. Bolante’s alleged cohorts escaped.

Charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and serious physical injury were set to be filed yesterday against Bolante.   – Pete Laude, Jerry Botial