AN APPOINTED village official in San Simon town was arrested by local authorities for allegedly pointing and firing a gun at three individuals, including a minor, recently.
The suspect was identified as Fernando dela Cruz, 45, chief of the village Tanod peacekeepers in Barangay Concepcion of San Simon town.
Marlon dela Cruz, 33, said the drunk suspect allegedly confronted him and his friends while they were having a drinking session inside a private property.
Dela Cruz claimed the village official harassed them by pointing and firing his gun.
The suspect even punched the victims, including a 16-year old boy, according to the complainants.
“Sinasabi niya (Fernando) po na pinaghihinalaan niya daw kami na nagsesession doon. Ang sabi ko po sa kanya, kung ganoon po iniisip ay dalhin niya kami sa barangay. Pero dahil sa lasing na lasing siya, bigla nalang niya kaming sinaktan, sinikmuraan po niya kami. Kinasa-kasa niya pa po baril niya tapos nagpaputok siya sa amin,” Marlon narrated.
Another victim named Ferdinand Esguerra, 19, disclosed that Fernando also distributed to the victims unused ammunition in what was perceived to be a threat to the victims' families.
“Nung paalis na siya, sinabi pa niya doon sa mga kasama niya na sila na daw ang bahala sa amin. Hindi ko po alam kung ano ibig sabihin noon pero siyempre natakot po kami para sa pamilya namin,” he said.
The victims disclosed Fernando and his group habitually threatened individuals in their barangay by gun-pointing and mauling some residents.
Chief Inspector Louie Gonzaga, San Simon chief of police, said the three victims tested negative for use of illegal drugs.
“We subjected them to drug test and they tested negative. And, if they indeed are suspected to be involved in illegal drugs, the barangay must’ve reported them to the police for proper apprehension but we did not receive or heard anything from them,” he said.
Gonzaga said the suspect was charged with Grave Threat, Alarm and Scandal, violation of RA 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination law, and violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Omnibus Election Code (Gun Ban).
Gonzaga expressed hopes that Fernando's arrest may serve as a warning to the public that the Philippine National Police will not spare anybody violating the law, including powerful individuals.
“This must serve as a warning to everybody that nobody is above the law, including public officials,” he said.
He also reminded the public of the strict implementation of gun ban in relation to the forthcoming elections, and that its exemption must be accompanied by necessary documents from the Commission on Elections.