Makati police chief axed over ‘shooting’ near Castro’s car

MANILA, Philippines —  The chief of the Makati police station was relieved from his post following an alleged shooting that occurred in front of the car of Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Wednesday night.

Makati police chief Col. Joseph Talento was administratively relieved to pave the way for an impartial probe, National Capital Region Police Office director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said.

During her manifestation at the House of Representatives quad committee hearing yesterday, Castro expressed concern about her safety.

While she was stuck in traffic, Castro said two police officers got out of a patrol car in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig at around 11 p.m.

Castro said one of the police officers fired a gun at a motorcycle rider near her vehicle.

Preliminary investigation by the Southern Police District (SPD), however, showed that the incident happened in Makati, not in Taguig.

Castro has linked the incident to the probe of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds.

She asked the quad comm to request for a police report to know if it was a legitimate operation.

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers ordered Col. David Poklay of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to submit a report on the incident.

Philippine National Police public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the SPD and Taguig police did not receive a report about the incident.

“But in case it’s true, we encourage Representative Castro to make an official report to police,” Fajardo said. – Jose Rodel Clapano