Belmonte orders probe of shooting involving Quezon City cop

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday ordered the city’s People’s Law Enforcement Board to conduct as separate investigation of a police officer accused of shooting a man at a restobar in Novaliches on Oct. 3.

Belmonte condemned the incident involving Pat. Edwin Rivera Simbiling and condoled with the family of the victim, identified as 29-year-old Chrismel Serioso.

Based on earlier reports, an altercation between the two occurred at the Spot Light Beer and Cocktail Lounge in Barangay Nova Proper.

Several witnesses said Simbiling shot at Serioso several times during a chase.

The victim was rushed to the Novaliches District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

“The local government is looking at the possible assistance that we can give to his family, especially in seeking justice,” Belmonte said in Filipino.

“We hope that the PNP (Philippine National Police) and (Quezon City Police District) will not go easy on… Simbiling, who is now in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit and is facing murder and illegal possession charges,” she added.

Belmonte maintained that individuals like Simbiling has no place in the PNP. She vowed not to let violence prevail in the city.