A MEMBER of the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office is in hot water after he was accused of involvement in an indiscriminate firing incident while in a confrontation with a woman in Balangiga municipality last Sunday afternoon.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said he has ordered the Police Regional Office 8 to subject Cpl. Alexander Salazar to a thorough investigation and to file criminal and administrative charges against him if evidence warrants.

The country’s top cop said that in particular, he wants the conduct of summary dismissal proceedings against the policeman from the Hernani Municipal Police Station in Eastern Samar if it would be established that he indeed used his PNP-issued firearm to threaten a civilian.

“Nakakulong na at iniimbestigahan ang isang pulis na naiulat na ginawang panakot ang kanyang baril sa isang sibilyan sa Eastern Samar. Kung totoo man ito, hindi natin palalagpasin ang kanyang ginawa dahil maliwanag na isa itong kaso ng pang-aabuso na dapat lang bigyan natin ng agarang aksyon upang hindi na pamarisan pa,” said Eleazar.

Initial reports said that Salazar figured in a heated argument with Abby Abrogar in Bgy. 01. At the height of their confrontation, the cop allegedly fired his issued cal. 9mm Beretta pistol to threaten the woman.

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

“Hindi dapat ipinapanakot sa mga sibilyan ang baril ng pulis at sa halip ay ginagamit ito sa pagprotekta sa kanila. Bilang mga pulis napakalaki ng responsibilidad na nakaatang sa ating mga balikat. Kasama na dito ang responsableng paghawak ng armas,” said the PNP chief.

“As policemen, we need the highest degree of self-restraint and discipline in exercising our mandate to avoid committing excesses and abuses. We must always keep in mind our sworn oath to protect and serve,” he stressed.

Salazar is being held at the Balangiga police detention facility.

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Alfred P. Dalizon