Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan, in handcuffs, was presented to PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar. Image from PNP
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday apologized to the family of a woman who was shot dead by a “drunk” cop in Quezon City on Monday night
Eleazar extended the PNP’s condolences to the family in a press briefing on Tuesday, after personally interviewing the suspect, Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan, in the Quezon City Police District.
“Kami po ay nakikiramay sa pamilya ng victim at pinararating ang taos-pusong paghingi ng tawad sa lahat, pati na rin sa ating kababayan, sa ginawang karumal-dumal na ginawa ng pulis na ito,” he said.
(We are offering our condolences to the family of the victim as well as our apology to all, including the public, for the actions of this police officer.)
Eleazar then vowed that the PNP will continue the internal cleansing of the PNP.
“Hinaharap namin, haharapin namin, at papakita namin sa inyo, hindi kami papatinag sa aming commitment na ayusin at linisin ang aming hanay sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he said.
(We face, we will face, and we will show you, we will not waver in our commitment to organize and clean up our organization to the best of our ability.)
“Rest assured, na ang pulis ninyo ay nandito, gumagawa ng tama except from few bad eggs na kinukundina natin ( that your police are here, doing the right thing except from a few bad eggs that we condemn), and we are disowning them in the strongest sense,” he added.
Prior to the apology, Eleazar said criminal and administrative cases will be filed against Zinampan.
Based on a police report, victim Lilibeth Valdez was allegedly shot dead by the suspect around 9:30 p.m. in Barangay Greater Fairview, Monday night.
Valdez was making a purchase at a neighborhood store when Zinampan appeared and confronted her, Afterwards, the suspect drew his gun and shot the victim. A video of the shooting was taken by a witness.