Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered the city’s People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) to look into the complaint filed by a 22-year-old student who was allegedly shot by a drunk member of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
“While I acknowledge that the QCPD is our partner in maintaining law and order, it must be clear that I have no tolerance for rotten policemen in Quezon City. I am ordering Atty. Calinisan of the PLEB to act on this matter with absolute dispatch,” she said.
“Our quick and resolute action is the only way we can alleviate the anguish of Mr. Castor and his family, and reassure the general public that Quezon City is a safe place to be in, where no police abuses are allowed,” she added.
Police Lt. Col. Alex DJ Alberto, QCPD Kamuning Station (PS 10) commander, identified the suspect as Cpl. Reymark Rigor, 28, also assigned to PS 10.
Rigor reportedly shot 22-year-old Adrianne Dominique Cruz Castor on Scout Rallos Street in Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City last Feb. 8.
Atty. Rafael Calinisan, PLEB executive officer, said “the PLEB commits to hear and decide this case the soonest, in less than 60 days. This case is summary in nature, and we assure the public that justice will be served.” Police investigation showed that Rigor was riding a motorcycle while under the influence of liquor when the incident happened. He had just attended a birthday celebration of his superior.
Castor also lodged a complaint against Police Staff Sgt. Bryan Busto and Police Cpl. Jaycee Tordil, accusing them of downplaying his injury as mere “daplis” (graze wound) before he underwent an operation at the hospital.
The two policemen also left the hospital without gathering information about his condition from the doctors.
The victim later found out that Busto and Tordil merely categorized the incident as “physical injuries” instead of the more serious crime of “frustrated murder.”
Under the law, Calinisan said the PLEB can issue a preventive suspension order against the policemen involved due to the gravity of the charges hurled against them.
On Feb. 11, frustrated murder and violation of the Omnibus Election Code charges were filed against Rigor who posted a P200,000 bail.