Precinct chief sacked after cops mistake victim for robber

MANILA, Philippines - The commander of the Parañaque City Police Community Precinct 6 was removed from his post after his men chased a businessman trying to flee from a man who tried to rob him last Sunday.

Senior Superintendent Nestor Pastoral told The STAR that the administrative relief of Senior Inspector Marlou Bisonia took effect Sunday night. He was replaced by Senior Inspector Francisco Villomina.

“He (Bisonia) is the ground commander. He is responsible for the operational control. It is he who dispatches the men,” Pastoral said, adding Bisonia should have ensured the success of the operation.

On Sunday, businessman Edwin Esguerra was shot in the elbow as he tried to escape from a robber who held him at gunpoint along Doña Soledad Avenue in Better Living Village. He had just withdrawn P10,000 from a bank when an armed man approached him while he was in his Mitsubishi Pajero.

Instead of heeding the robber’s demand, Esguerra sped off, prompting the robber to shoot at his car.

The bank alerted the police, who sent a police team within a few minutes. The team, however, pursued Esguerra all the way to the Parañaque Medical Doctors Hospital, where he sought treatment.

Pastoral said the police officers should have checked their facts first, adding what angered him further was that he received information that the suspect fled on foot.