QC councilman kills drunk cop

MANILA, Philippines - A village councilman shot dead a reportedly drunk policeman he had tried to pacify in Barangay San Martin de Porres, Quezon City Friday night.

Investigators said Police Officer 3 Jose Dequilla, 44, was asking tricycle driver Joselito Samson to bring him to the Quezon City Police District-Station 7, where he was assigned, but Samson refused. The policeman was carrying his firearm but was off-duty and in civilian clothing. Samson went to the San Martin de Porres village hall to ask help from councilman Dionisio Desierto, 52.

A heated argument ensued between the councilman and the police officer, during which Dequilla allegedly pointed his gun at Desierto, who shouted invectives at the suspect.

Desierto returned to the barangay hall and asked Police Officer 3 Ferdinand Bendulo to accompany him and pacify Dequilla, but Bendulo was then unarmed and on leave.

Bendulo said when Desierto went back outside, the councilman allegedly used a .45 caliber handgun to shoot Dequilla thrice in the head, with one of the bullets hitting him between the eyes.

Bendulo arrested Desierto and took the latter’s gun. Investigators recovered three spent .45 caliber shells from the scene.

Desierto refused to be interviewed, saying he needed to talk to his lawyer first.