Gun-wielding cop held after spat with biker

A policeman in civilian clothes was placed under arrest for violating the nationwide election gun ban after he brandished a pistol at a motorcycle driver during a traffic altercation Wednesday near the intersection of Kamuning and Kamias in Quezon City.

PO2 Joven Janairo Jr., a member of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group, however, denied the allegation against him and accused the other driver of beating him up.

According to case investigator SPO1 John Sales of the Quezon City Police District, the incident occurred at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday on the southbound lane of the Kamuning flyover on Edsa.

Sales said Janairo was on his way to work at Camp Crame on a motorcycle when he almost hit another motorcycle rider.

The two started arguing and at one point, Janairo took out his firearm. Other motorists who saw the incident quickly reported it to the nearby Kamuning police station.

After he was arrested by Police Officers 1 Eduardo Almario and Dennis Agustin, Janairo denied that he brandished his 9-mm service pistol during the argument. He also accused the other motorcycle driver of hitting him in the chest.

The other motorcycle driver, on the other hand, left the scene without filing a complaint or identifying himself.

Sales said Janairo would still be charged with violating the gun ban because he was off duty at the time of the incident. Only policemen on duty are exempted from the law.