THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has recommended the dismissal of the policeman who shot dead a 52-year-old woman following a confrontation in Quezon City last month.
IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they submitted to PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, their recommendation to dismiss Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan.
“Dismissal, because he did not contest the charge that he killed the woman. But he said he should not be dismissed because he has been in the service long. He said it was a first offense and he was previously the aggrieved person. If the penalty is dismissal, he would forfeit all the benefits,” Triambulo said.
Under the law, Triambulo said the penalty for serious offenses such as grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming is dismissal.
“Hindi mo pwede i-apply ang mitigating circumstances para bumaba,” he added.
Triambulo said he was confident that Eleazar will approve the recommendation due to his ongoing cleanliness policy in the PNP.
Zinampan was charged with grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming for killing his neighbor, Lilibeth Valdez, 52, following a heated argument in Barangay Greater Fairview on May 31, 2021.
He was intoxicated when he shot Valdez at point-blank range, causing her instantaneous death. The incident was recorded on a mobile phone video by a witness.
Zinampan was charged with murder. He is detained at the Quezon City Police District.
Eleazar, in another interview, said he will review the recommendation of IAS before signing it to ensure that Zinampan can no longer go back to service.
“Doon ang pupuntahan niyan but we are observing the due process para hindi tayo magkakaroon ng problema...We don't want that the likes of Zinampan ay magkaroon pa ng pagkakataon na mag stay sa ating organization,” he said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)