Two cops risk job after caught allegedly firing guns indiscriminately in La Union

By Ronron
January 20, 2008

Two policemen could lose their job after they were caught allegedly firing their guns indiscriminately last Saturday evening at a resort in La Union province.

Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said Sunday that PO2 Florentino Sannadan and PO1 Lyndon Adriano, both of the Police Security and Protection Office, have been ordered subjected to Summary Dismissal Proceedings by no less than PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr.

The two are assigned as security bodyguards of Tinneg, Abra Mayor Edwin Crisologo, Sr., Bartolome said, quoting the report of Region 1 Police Director Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil.

Bataoil said the two were in the company at that time of Crisologo and his staff, who all left for Abra immediately after the apprehension of the two.

Bataoil said that at past 8pm the other day (Saturday), the two were partying at the Long Beach Resort and Restaurant in Barangay Paringao, Bauang town when they allegedly fired their guns.

Bataoil said the incident prompted the resort management to seek for police assistance.

“The resort staff complained that the policemen fired their guns indiscriminately. Reportedly, they used armalites in firing and they were heavily drunk,” he said.

Elements of the Bauang police and the Provincial Police Mobile Group quickly responded and immediately apprehended the two at around 8:30 pm, he continued.

The responding policemen recovered two M16 rifles, two 9mm pistols, and caliber 45 pistol, Bataoil said. They also recovered one empty shell for an M16 ammunition.

Bartolome said the firearms were brought to the Region 1 Police Crime Laboratory Office for ballistics examination, as well as Sannadan and Adriano for alcohol and paraffin tests.

After the laboratory examination, the two were detained at the Bauang Police Station pending the filing of charges against them.

“The management of the resort expressed gratitude for the swift response of the local police, even as they allayed apprehensions that such incident will affect the local tourism industry,” Bartolome said.

Bartolome said Razon ordered the conduct of Summary Dismissal Proceedings against the two to emphasize that “the PNP leadership” is “swift and decisive on erring members of the force” as it is also “quick in giving due recognition for outstanding performance.”

“This should serve as a stern warning to all police personnel who fail to observe the norms of discipline in the organization,” Razon said.

Aside from Sannadan and Adriano, Bartolome bared that two Cavite policemen are also under investigation after they tested positive for the use of shabu during a drug test last December.

Bartolome identified the two as SPO1 Jeremias Monares and PO2 Dominador Ferrer of the Cavite Provincial Police Office.

In Metro Manila, Bartolome said six police personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) are facing criminal charges for the following offenses: “kotong” or robbery/extortion, obstruction of justice, and, abuse of authority, among others.

They are PO3 Danilo Velayo, SPO4 Raymund Layug, SPO1 Emmanuel Villena, PO2 Arnel Villena, SPO4 Rodolfo dela Cruz, and PO1 Artemio Guihoman.

Finally, in Central Luzon, Bartolome said three cops who belong to the Angeles City Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force were arrested recently in an entrapment operation after receiving an alleged P10,000 bribe.

Bartolome identified them as PO1 Mervin Manaloto, PO3 Oliver Dessilos, and PO1 Rene Manuel./DMS