Admin inquiry on police officer caught violating gun ban

THERE won’t be any special treatment for police officers caught violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban, the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) said yesterday.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, PRO-7 chief, said an administrative investigation will be conducted on SPO2 Carlito Amarillo who was allegedly caught with a gun in the Argao public market last Easter Sunday.

“In as much as we don’t give special treatment also to civilians and other persons who violate the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban,” Garbo said. The 47-year old Amarillo is an intelligence officer of the Boljoon police precinct.

Amarillo said he had just finished his shift and dropped by the market to buy a goat before going home in Binlod, Argao town.

But PRO-7 spokesperson Supt. Clifford Gairanod said he noticed Amarillo’s .45 caliber pistol tucked on his waistband, so he ordered the Argao policemen to arrest him.

“Based on the report I received, Amarillo rolled up his shirt to expose the firearm tucked on his waistband causing Gairanod to report it to the Argao police,” Garbo said.

Told that Amarillo apologized to his superiors, Garbo said his apology will be considered but they have to follow procedures.

Garbo said they will evaluate if Boljoon police chief Insp. Rico Emperwa will also be held accountable. Emperwa said Amarillo may have overlooked the Comelec directive.

“Rest assured Amarillo knows his liabilities and responsibilities since he’s in the service for 25 years,” he told reporters. With Correspondent Chito Aragon