Cop nabbed for firing gun in traffic row

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer was arrested for illegal discharge of firearm after figuring in a traffic altercation in Quezon City on Friday.

Senior Inspector Christopher Obrial, 40, a commander of Police Community Precinct 10 in Pasig City, reportedly got angry when an unidentified driver of a Toyota Fortuner going in the same direction sideswiped his car at the corner of Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues at around 11:30 p.m., according to Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr., Quezon City Police District director.

Instead of stopping, the Fortuner’s driver sped off towards EDSA, prompting Obrial to fire a .45 caliber pistol in the air. Witnesses reported him to the police.

In a video taken by one of the arresting officers, Obrial could be heard shouting profanities  as he was arrested along Kamuning Road.

He is facing charges of illegal discharge of firearm and alarm and scandal.

Eastern Police District director Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba, meanwhile, removed Obrial from his post. He was reassigned to the National Capital Region Police Office’s regional personnel holding and accounting unit.