Cop axed for accidental firing

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer was removed from his post and placed under restrictive custody after he accidentally fired his gun in Malabon City.

Col. Jean. Fajardo, chief information officer of the Philippine National Police, said the police officer, whom she did not identify, is under investigation.

“He is under custody and his firearm was confiscated,” she told reporters in a phone interview yesterday.

Fajardo said the incident occurred in Malabon on Dec. 23.

Seven people have been accosted so far for illegal discharge of firearms during the Yuletide season. Two of the violators are police officers, two more are military personnel while the rest are civilians.

Fajardo warned gun holders not to use their firearms in celebrating Christmas and New Year since they would face criminal charges if they
are caught.

She also urged the public to report people indiscriminately firing their guns and to document the incident to serve as evidence.

In Caloocan, two construction workers were arrested for carrying guns in Barangay 178 yesterday morning.

The suspects were identified only as Jose, 57, and Carlos, 24, by city police chief Col. Ruben Lacuesta.

Police officers from Sub-station 10 were on foot patrol at around 2:40 a.m. when they received a complaint that a man later identified as Jose was pointing a gun at a resident.

The lawmen recovered two .38-caliber handguns, both loaded, from the suspects, who face charges of violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.