PNP probes anonymous text about cop firing gun on New Year’s Eve
MANILA, Philippines—A precinct commander assigned in Valenzuela City may face dismissal should a text message about him firing his service gun during the New Year’s Eve revelry be proven true.
Chief Superintendent Antonio Decano, director of the Northern Police District (NPD), told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview that there were allegations that a policeman named Boyet Francisco of Valenzuela had violated a directive from Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome prohibiting officers from firing their guns to celebrate the New Year.
The NPD covers the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.
A check by the Philippine Daily Inquirer has shown that the police officer, whose real name is Arsenio and who carries the rank of senior inspector, is the commander of police community precinct 4 in Barangay (village) Malinta.
According to Decano, the allegations against him were contained in a text message sent by an anonymous sender to the PNP Chief Directorial Staff, which in turn informed Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo himself.
Robredo, Decano said, then instructed NPD officials to conduct an investigation.
“We have already sent the policeman to the NPD Crime Lab for paraffin testing,” Decano explained.
As of press time, the results of the test have not been released.
Should Francisco be tested positive for gunpowder, Decano said that he would have to face administrative charges, which, upon observance of due process, might lead to his dismissal from the service.
“The allegations have not yet been confirmed. We’re investigating this because it’s possible the police officer is only being maligned,” Decano clarified.
According to the police official, this was a possibility because, only recently, there had been a reshuffling of posts among police officers in the area. Francisco’s new assignment, Decano said, might have not suited some well, prompting them to spread the rumor about the police official.
