Cop allegedly shoots to death fellow policeman after losing in arm wrestling

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman allegedly shot to death a fellow cop after he lost in an arm wrestling bout, police said Tuesday.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) tagged two policemen and a driver as suspects behind the killing of Police Corporal Higino Wayan, who was earlier reported to have shot himself.

QCPD director Police Brigadier General Antonio Yarra identified the two policemen as Police Corporal Sherwin Rebot and Police Corporal Harold Mendoza and the driver as Lorenzo Lapay.

Lapay earlier claimed that during their drinking spree on Sunday, Wayan took the gun of Rebot, which was allegedly left on the table, pointed it at his chest, and pulled the trigger, which resulted in his death.

However, when QCPD’s Crime Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) further probed the incident, Lapay eventually confessed that Wayan was actually shot by Rebot.

Lapay said the two policemen engaged in an arm wrestling match, which Rebot lost, after which he shot Wayan in the chest. Mendoza was resting when the arm wrestling occurred, according to Lapay.

CIDU subjected all persons involved to Paraffin and Drug Test Examination at PNP Crime Laboratory Office in Camp Crame, QCPD said.

The recovered firearms of the suspects were likewise submitted to PNP Crime Laboratory Field Office for ballistics, cross-matching Examination, and gun powder residue examination.

QCPD said both policemen will face administrative and criminal charges while the driver will face criminal charges.

Rebot will be charged for murder and violation of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition since he was found to have unlicensed firearms, while Mendoza and Lapay will be charged for murder by conspiracy and obstruction of justice, the police added.

JE