3 cops probed for failing to arrest mall shooter

ROSALES, Pangasinan, Philippines – Three members of the provincial police office have been ordered investigated for not arresting a gunman who fired shots in front of a shopping mall here Sunday.

The incident was caught on video and uploaded on the Internet by lawyer Genaro Mariñas.

Mariñas said he was compelled to document the incident when he saw the police officers doing nothing as Julio Pagador pointed a gun at the crowd.

Senior Superintendent Reynaldo Biay, officer-in-charge of the Pangsinan police, identified the lawmen as Police Officer 3 Victor Natividad and PO1s Arnold Sumangil Jr. and Rolando Miniano.

The video showed Pagador, reportedly a brother of this town's Mayor Susan Pagador-Casareno, brandishing a caliber .45 pistol in front of the lawmen.

The officers ignored Pagador and walked away from him.

Pagador, who was reportedly drunk, fired shots, hitting the roof of the mall and sending shoppers and bystanders scampering to safety.

Biay said the video showed that the officers committed lapses.

“I ordered an investigation. There will be summary hearings to avoid a repeat of the incident,” he said.

Results of the investigation will be submitted to the police regional director, who will determine the penalties to be meted on the officers, Biay added.

The three officers attended a case conference yesterday at the provincial police office in Lingayen town.

“There is a clear case of administrative lapses committed by the police officers,” said Superintendent Ferdinand de Asis, spokesman for the provincial police office.

De Asis said they are checking whether Pagador’s gun is licensed. Investigators recovered four bullet shells at the scene.

Chief Inspector Randy Arellano, town police chief, may also be held liable, De Asis said.

Charges of grave threats, alarm and scandal, assault upon a person in authority and illegal possession of firearms were filed against Pagador.