A MEMBER of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) assigned in Camp Crame has been ordered dismissed for shooting and injuring a man during a melee in a barangay in Quezon City last February.

The CIDG agent was dismissed after being found guilty of administrative charges of “conduct unbecoming of a police officer” and grave misconduct.

The Quezon City (QC) People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) issued the ten-page decision after conducting clarificatory hearings on the cases.

PLEB Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Calinisan said that aside from dismissal from the service, the PLEB also ordered the forfeiture of the suspect’s benefits as a police officer and disqualification for re-employment in any government service.

The cases against the suspect stemmed from a complaint about an incident that occurred on February 18, 2022, around 11:30 p.m. in Bgy. Greater Lagro.

The complainant said the confrontation started when the suspect’s friend, alias “Michael” gestured a “bad finger” sign toward the victim.

The complainant claimed the victim and their friends were just hanging out when the incident occurred.

To ease the tension, the complainant approached alias “Michael” and escorted him to his car and, upon prodding, left the area.

After a few minutes, “Michael” returned with his friends, including the suspect, and a melee ensued.

In a CCTV (closed-circuit television) video, the suspect was carrying a sling bag containing his government-issued firearm.

During the clarificatory hearing, it was established that the CIDG agent shot the complainant on his leg while his other friends beat up the other victim, who sustained a skull fracture.

“What’s more bothersome in this incident is that [the complainant] na ang sinugod at binaril, siya pa ang inarestong walang warrant, ikinulong at kinasuhan. While the policeman went ‘scot-free’ prior to this case. Just terrible,” Calinisan said.

“The PLEB is open to the possibility of investigating this case further,” he added.

Calinisan noted that the incident happened when the gun ban was in effect. The gun ban took effect on January 9, 2022, and ended on June 8, 2022.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded the efforts of the PLEB.

“It is frustrating to know that our police officers sometimes forget their sworn duty and allow themselves to be involved in situations like this. [The involved police officer] acted in a very uncharacteristic way for a member of the uniformed service,” Belmonte said.

“We are very hopeful since the PLEB in our city is working. Katuwang natin sila in making sure that erring policemen are held accountable,” she added.