MURDER charges have been filed against a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) member who killed a man after a bar brawl in Taguig City, a police official said on Wednesday, July 24.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar said Master Sergeant Ron Fernandez of SAF 83rd company underwent inquest on Tuesday, July 23, at the Taguig Prosecutor’s office over charges of murder.
Fernandez had a heated argument with Erwin Arcilla Roseman of Quesha Bar in Barangay Tuktukan in Taguig City at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, July 21.
Fernandez reportedly pointed his gun at and slapped Roseman.
The suspect then left the bar but returned carrying an M16 Rifle and fired at Roseman, who died from a gunshot wound in the neck.
The victim was declared dead on arrival at the Rabe Hospital in Taguig.
Responding police officers arrested the suspect and recovered the firearms used. He is currently detained at the Taguig Police station.
Eleazar reiterated that the national police agency will not tolerate such illegal acts committed by their members.
“We assure the public that the guilty ones will be jailed and dismissed from the service for such kind of personnel have no place in the PNP. We never tolerate anyone of our colleagues for committing illegal acts or crimes,” he said.
Meanwhile, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said he ordered the conduct of an in-depth investigation on the matter, particularly on how the suspect was able to use such long firearm, which was supposedly owned by SAF, while off duty.
He also instructed the Deputy Chief for Operations to consolidate all similar incidents involving policemen and have them report to him directly.
“Ito nga yung sinasabi natin lahat yan haharapin namin at gagawin namin ang lahat para mawala sa aming hanay ang ganyang mga umaabuso at patuloy na umaabuso at abusado sa aming hanay and we can assure the public na hindi namin palalampasin yan. I do not care kahit mangalahati yung aming strength na more than 180,000 provided na yung kalahati na yun ay matitino at talagang magtatrabaho at magseserbisyo sa ating bayan,” Albayalde said.
(We will do everything to remove abusive men from our ranks. We assure the public that this will not go unpunished. I do not care if the police force, which has a strength of more than 180,000, will be halved as long as those left are good men who will serve the nation.)
“Kasama sa investigation yan. Pangalawa bakit sya pinayagan na meron siyang long firearm o baka bumalik yan at kumuha ng kanyang mahabang issue, binalikan kaya ganun. Ito nga ‘yung sinasabi natin lahat yan haharapin namin at gagawin namin ang lahat para mawala sa aming hanay ang ganyang mga umaabuso at patuloy na umaabuso at abusado sa aming hanay,” he added.
(That will be part of the investigation. Secondly, why was he allowed to carry a long firearm? We will face everything and we will do everything to get rid of these abusive men.) (SunStar Philippines)