Over firecracker spat Bacolod cop arrested for shooting neighbor

CEBU, Philippines – A policeman of Bacolod City was arrested early morning of January 1 when he allegedly shot his neighbor after an altercation over a firecracker that the policeman threw at the latter.

Nabbed was Police Officer 3 Edward Alejano, 47, of Purok Marapara, Zone 1, Barangay Bata, this city. He is an intelligence officer of Bacolod Police Station 3.

Senior Inspector Ruel Culanag, chief of Police Station 3, identified the victim as Eliseo Ronquillo, 62, also of the same barangay.

Culanag said Alejano threw a firecracker at Ronquillo, who was passing at the former’s house. Ronquillo got angry and confronted the policeman, resulting in a heated argument and “wrestling.” As the two wrestled, Alejano allegedly took his 9mm service firearm and shot the victim on his left arm, Culanag said.

Alejano, however, denied the allegations, insisting that Ronquillo tried to take his firearm, which caused it to went off accidentally.

Culanag said the incident was still being investigated and the police were still looking into personal grudge as the possible motive, considering that they were previously involved in disputes that were settled later in the barangay.

Ronquillo is still confined at a hospital while Alejano, who will be facing criminal and administrative charges, is now in police custody.

Senior Superintendent Melchor Coronel, acting director of the Bacolod City Police Office, had ordered a deeper probe on the case because the policeman fired his gun even if it was muzzled and banned for firing during the holidays.

Meanwhile, a total of 20 firecracker-related injuries were reported in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, during the New Year’s Eve, according to the police.

The report showed that 12 injuries were recorded in Bacolod, and eight in the province, as confirmed by Coronel and Senior Superintendent. Samuel Nacion, officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, respectively.

Both officials said no stray bullet incidents were reported during the revelry, and that the New Year’s eve celebration was generally peaceful, except for some shooting and stabbing incidents in the province.

During New Year’s Eve festivities also, at least 31 people were rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City due to car accidents, police report added.  (FREEMAN)