CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – The Central Luzon police are now in close coordination with Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) and other police units for the possible surrender of a police official who was reportedly involved in a shooting incident and abduction in Nueva Ecija.
Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay on Saturday, April 30, identified the police official as Major Antonino Cuaresma, a.k.a. Abu, a member of the Philippine National Police assigned at Binmaley Police Station, Pangasinan PPO, and a resident of Tabuk City, Kalinga.
The victim was identified as Jonathan Fernandez, a.k.a. Ramon, 38, a company driver of an ice cream company, and a resident of Barangay Lagare, Cabanatuan City.
Based on the Nueva Ecija and Tarlac Provincial Police Office, Cuaresma allegedly shot Fernandez at around 8:50 p.m. on Friday, April 29 along Cabanatuan-Carmen road, Purok Dau, Brgy. Pamaldan, Cabanatuan City.
According to PRO3, Cuaresma fled towards Tarlac City after shooting Fernandez.
“We immediately coordinated with PRO1 and other police units for possible location and subsequent surrender of PMaj Cuaresma,” said Brig. Gen. Baccay.
“I urge Maj. Cuaresma to voluntarily submit himself to authorities so that due process will be given to him,” he added.
Baccay said the PNP will not condone any misdemeanor among the PNP personnel and that appropriate charges, both administrative and criminal if warranted, will be filed against Cuaresma.
Disciplining and dismissing erring police personnel shows efforts of the PNP in removing bad eggs in the police force, and that the rule of law does not distinguish rank, position or popularity whether victim or respondent in the PNP organization, said Baccay.
“This is a clear manifestation of our keen determination to remove misfits among the ranks of our organization,” added Baccay.