The Quezon City local government announced on Thursday, April 7, that the People’s Law Enforcement Board of Quezon City (PLEB) has dismissed the police officer who shot a 22-year-old student last Feb. 8.
Lawyer Rafael Calinisan, PLEB executive officer, said that Cpl. Reymark Rigor, 28, assigned to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Kamuning Station (PS 10), was removed from the service after he was found guilty of grave misconduct for shooting the victim, Adrienne Castor.
On Feb. 8, the victim was shot by Rigor in the chest at Scout Rallos Extension, Brgy. Sacred Heart while he was on his way home on board a Grab vehicle. Castor survived the incident.
Rigor voluntarily surrendered to his immediate superior at the PS 10 on Feb. 10.
The QCPD said Rigor was dismissed last March 22, while four other police officers -- Senior Master Sgt. Nelazar Torrijos, 44; Staff Sgt. Fernan Concepcion, 33; Cpl. Jimbeam Fernandez, 33; Staff Sgt. Bryan Busto, 33, all assigned to the PS 10 -- were demoted.
According to the local government, the PLEB penalized Torrijos, Concepcion, and Fernandez with one rank demotion for grave neglect of duty for their failure to respond to the shooting incident which happened outside the house where they were drinking.
Rigor was with the three officers in the house of Torrijos for a birthday celebration that night.
The PLEB also ordered the one rank demotion of Busto for grave misconduct for covering up the said shooting incident during his investigation. He categorized the incident only as a case of “physical injuries” instead of “frustrated murder.”
It added that two other policemen were exonerated or absolved by the PLEB.
Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded the PLEB for its fast and impartial disposition on the case.
“The general public has not seen any recent case that was decided this quickly. With this, I hope that any aggrieved person will seek recourse with PLEB,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Police Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, QCPD director, said the dismissal and demotion of the cops serve as a warning to all police officers, stressing that they should maintain a high standard of morality and professionalism.
He added that the QCPD does not oppose the PLEB’s decision as it only shows that justice is for everyone.