Cop, guard, 2 others nabbed for illegal gun discharge

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman and a security guard are now in the “naughty list” of those who have been arrested for being trigger-happy during the Christmas season.

According to a report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, they have arrested four people for indiscriminate firing since Dec. 16, the start of a nationwide tally of firecracker and gun-related incidents over the holidays.

Of the four suspects, one was Police Officer 1 Francis Nepomuceno Flake of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). Flake, 29, was found to have fired his service pistol illegally in front of a restaurant on M.H. Del Pilar in Malate, Manila, last Dec. 22, the report from Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, showed.

Flake is assigned to the NCRPO Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, where Metro Manila police with pending administrative cases are usually sent.

Flake’s indiscretion happened despite the Metro Manila police having taped over their firearms to show their commitment to their campaign against indiscriminate firing over the holidays.

Also arrested was security guard Jerry Masaoay Divina, 40, who was found to have fired his gun, repeatedly, on Dec. 26, in Barangay Villavieja in Pilar, Abra. Recovered from him was a loaded homemade handgun. Recovered from the scene were five fired cartridges from the gun.

Two civilians were earlier arrested for illegal discharge of firearms in Leyte and in Dapitan City.

Although only four have been arrested, the PNP has actually monitored six incidents of illegal firearms discharge. The other two remain under investigation. A case in Barangay Baduang, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, against barangay chair Erol Cimatu Calivoso remains pending, though his own daughter submitted five fired cartridge cases from his gun as evidence.

Also still under investigation is the shooting last Dec. 22 in Barangay Maggalang in Sariaya, Quezon province, which left two injured. The suspect, Marianito Alob, fled the scene.

Five people have been reported injured from stray bullet incidents, Mayor said.  SFM