Cop who killed fellow cop over fireworks raid faces raps, dismissal

MANILA, Philippines — Following a directive from Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, the police officer who shot and killed another lawman amid an operation against the peddling of illegal fireworks in North Fairview last Thursday, will be charged and may be dropped from the rolls.

In a text message, Chief Superintendent George Regis, director of the Quezon City Police District, said that they have readied administrative and criminal charges against Police Officer 1 Faisal Mala of the Lanao del Sur provincial police who shot and killed PO2 Bernard Quintero.

Quintero was part of QCPD Station 5 that raided Mala’s stall which sold illegal fireworks at the Fairmont Subdivision in Regalado.

Quintero died while being treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds.

He was one of two police officers who sustained injuries while conducting the operation.

“Such a grave offense is punishable with dismissal from the service,” added Regis.

The operation was part of the PNP’s intensified efforts to eradicate the distribution of illegal fireworks nationwide in the hopes of lowering the number of injuries during the New Year celebrations.