Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Probe cop’s ‘drunken ‘rage
ACTING Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador ordered an investigation against a policeman assigned at the Mabolo Police Station for an alleged case of misconduct.
Comendador told reporters yesterday that he tasked the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (CIIB) to investigate SPO1 Neri Cahimat for allegedly brandishing a firearm during an opening of a restobar in Mandaue City on Friday night.
Comendador said he would like to know the veracity of the report so that appropriate action could be taken against Cahimat.
He said the CCPO is coordinating with the Mandaue City Police Office in the investigation.
Based on the information that reached Comendador, Lubesly Tellidua, owner of 1070 Restobar, lodged a complaint against Cahimat before the Subangdaku Police Station accusing the policeman of brandishing a firearm, causing customers to panic.
Unpaid bills
The customers ran away and failed to pay their bills.
The establishment reportedly lost an estimated P20,000 in sales.
Cahimat was described to be drunk during the incident.
Cahimat, who also went to the police station, denied the allegation.
He said he was on board his motorcycle on his way home and was passing by H. Cortez St., where the restobar had just opened for business, when he heard firecracker explosions.
He said he merely called the attention of two persons who were indiscriminately lighting the firecrackers. He also confiscated the firecrackers.
Comendador said there is nothing wrong with drinking liquors as long as one does not misbehave.
Comendador said the complainant would visit his office to formally file an administrative complaint against Cahimat. (JST)
