Cop fires gun inside cockpit, faces raps

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - A policeman was detained and charged with criminal and administrative complaints for firing his service pistol while inside a cockpit in Makilala town last Sunday.

In a statement Tuesday, the North Cotabato provincial police office said SPO1 Gadfry Cumboc is now restrained, awaiting the litigation of the administrative cases filed against him.

The owner of the cockpit has also filed separate criminal charges against Cumboc.

Investigators said Comboc, who was under the influence of liquor, first figured in an altercation with a group inside the cockpit, which he tried to scare with several shots in the air using his service 9-millimeter pistol.

The incident triggered panic among people inside the cockpit.

Responding policemen disarmed Cumboc and escorted him to the municipal police precinct, where he underwent interrogation.

The local police charged Cumboc with misconduct and indiscriminate firing of gun before the Regional Internal Affairs Office of the Region 12 police, which has jurisdiction over North Cotabato.