FILE PHOTO: Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines – Quezon City (QC) Mayor Joy Belmonte urged the QC Police Department (QCPD) for an intensive, fair, and swift investigation into the case of a police officer who reportedly fired a gun outside a bar early Sunday morning.
The suspect, identified as Mark Julio Abong, is a liutenant colonel assigned with the Philippine National Police’s legal service department.
“Hinihiling natin kay QCPD Chief PBGen. Redrico Maranan na magsagawa ng malaliman, patas at mabilis na imbestigasyon sa umano’y pananakit at pagpapaputok ng baril ni Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Julio Abong,” Belmonte said in a statement.
(We are requesting QCPD Chief PBGen. Redrico Maranan to conduct a thorough, fair, and swift investigation into the alleged physical harm and firing of a gun by Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Julio Abong.)
“Kasabay nito, nais nating hilingin na bigyang-linaw ng liderato ng QCPD at PNP kung ano ang estado ni Abong na dating taga-QCPD lalo na’t ito ay inalis na sa serbisyo ng QC PLEB,” she added.
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(Along with this, we would like to request clarification from the leadership of QCPD and PNP regarding the status of Abong, who was previously with the QCPD, especially since he has been removed from service by the QC PLEB [People’s Law Enforcement Board].)
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“We want to assure business owners in Quezon City that the local government will continue to protect your businesses and employees. Safeguarding your welfare is crucial for the continued progress of our city,” the mayor said in Filipino.
“We strongly condemn any incident of violence, especially the abuse of authority by a public servant. A badge is never a license for abuse. There is no place for such behavior in our city,” she added.
Prior to his arrest, Abong had also been involved in a hit-and-run in March and was subsequently removed by the QC People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) – a decision that Belmonte lauded.
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.