QCPD nabs police officer for firing gun outside QC bar, other offenses

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine National Police (PNP) officer, with a rank of lieutenant colonel, was arrested on Sunday morning for reportedly firing a gun outside a bar in Quezon City and for other offenses, according to authorities.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the 40-year-old suspect as Mark Julio Abong, an officer assigned with the PNP’s legal service department.

Based on the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) report, Abong was collared by its operatives in front of a bar along Scout Rallos corner Scout Tobias Street in Barangay Laging Handa around 1 a.m.

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Prior to his arrest, police said Abong entered the bar and allegedly asked one of the waiters, Joseph Mendoza Matugina, to see the manager Lyn Rivera Pineda. Minutes into their conversation, the suspect got furious and assaulted Matugina before going outside.

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Pineda, who filed the complaint against the officer, said that Abong also argued with one of the customers outside the bar, prompting him to allegedly fire his gun twice.

After this, the complainant sought the Kamuning Police Station operatives, who immediately responded and arrested Abong.

The policeman is now under the QCPD custody. The arresting officers were able to confiscate a pistol, a magazine with nine live ammunition, and two empty cartridges from him.

Police said the suspect would be charged for illegal discharge of firearms, alarm and scandal, and violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in relation to the Omnibus Election code, as well as physical injury and slander by deed before the QC Prosecutor’s office.