Cop nabbed for firing gun outside QC bar
A policeman was arrested by members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) after he allegedly fired his service firearm outside a bar in Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City early Sunday morning, Nov. 26.
QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) Chief Maj. Don Don Llapitan identified the suspect as Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, 40, assigned to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Legal Service, and a resident of Brgy. Manresa, Quezon City.
The report showed that Abong went to a bar in Barangay Laging Handa and demanded to see its manager at around 1 a.m. on Sunday. He was then approached and had a conversation with a waiter.
Police said that during the conversation, Abong suddenly grabbed the waiter's necktie and then went outside the bar where he fired his gun in an upward direction twice.
Citing the statement of the bar manager, QCPD said Abong also pointed his firearm towards one of his companions.
It added that QCPD Kamuning Police Station (PS 10) deployed operatives in the area after receiving reports about the incident that led to Abong's arrest.
Seized from the suspect were a Glock 40 Pistol with serial number AAMA005, a magazine loaded with nine 40 cal. live bullets, and two empty 40 Cal. cartridges
Abong was the former QCPD CIDU commander but was relieved from his post after he got involved in a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a tricycle driver in August 2022.
He was dismissed by the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) of Quezon City from police service in March 2023 in relation to the incident.
The suspect will be charged for illegal discharge of firearms, alarms and scandals, violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act) in relation to the Omnibus Election Code, physical injury, and slander by deed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, QCPD said.
“Ang ganitong gawain ay hindi kailanman kukunsintihin ng QCPD. Maigting nating ipatutupad ang PNP disciplinary machinery (Such acts will never be tolerated by the QCPD. We will strictly implement the PNP disciplinary machinery)," QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said.
In a statement on Sunday, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte called on Maranan to conduct a fair and quick investigation on the incident involving the policeman.
"Kasabay nito, nais nating hilingin na bigyang-linaw ng liderato ng QCPD at PNP kung ano ang estado ni Abong na dating taga-QCPD lalo na't ito ay inalis na sa serbisyo ng QC PLEB (At the same time, we would like to request that the leadership of QCPD and PNP clarify what is the status of Abong who was formerly from QCPD especially since he has been removed from the service of QC PLEB)," she said.
"Dating nasangkot sa kasong hit-and-run si Abong at tangkang pag-cover up sa kaso. Sa naunang desisyon ng PLEB noong March 2023, nahatulang guilty si Abong at sinibak sya sa serbisyo. Matatandaang pinapurihan ko noon ang ating QC PLEB, sa pangunguna ng Executive Officer nito na si Atty. Rafael Calinisan, sa kanilang mabilis, patas at walang takot na desisyon tungkol dito. Inapela ni Abong ang desisyon sa Regional Appelate Board ng Napolcom pero kinatigan nito ang desisyon ng PLEB sa kanilang desisyon noong August 2023 (Abong was previously involved in a hit-and-run case and an attempt to cover up the case. In the previous decision of the PLEB in March 2023, Abong was found guilty and was dismissed from the service. It can be remembered that I praised our QC PLEB, led by its Executive Officer, Atty. Rafael Calinisan, for their quick, fair and fearless decision on this matter. Abong appealed the decision to the Regional Appellate Board of Napolcom but it upheld the decision of the PLEB in their decision in August 2023)."
"Ayon pa sa PLEB, immediately executory ang kanilang desisyon. Ito ang nakasaad sa Republic Act Nos. 6975 at 8551, lalo na ang Napolcom Memorandum Circulars 2019 - 005 at 2016 - 002, na nagsasabing ang pagpataw ng dismissal ay dapat ipatupad agad ng PNP, kahit may pending appeal pa man ang pulis na nasasangkot. Klaro ang isinasaad ng batas (According to the PLEB, their decision is immediately executory. This is stated in Republic Act Nos. 6975 and 8551, especially Napolcom Memorandum Circulars 2019 - 005 and 2016 - 002, which say that the imposition of dismissal must be implemented immediately by the PNP, even if the police involved still has a pending appeal. The law is clear)," she added.
The mayor also assured entrepreneurs in the city that the local government will continue to protect their businesses and personnel at their safety is crucial for the development of the city.
"Mariin nating kinokondena ang anumang insidente ng karahasan, lalo na ang pagmamalabis sa tungkulin ng isang lingkod-bayan. Ang tsapa ay hindi hindi permiso sa pang-aabuso. Walang puwang ang ganitong gawi sa ating lungsod (We strongly condemn any incident of violence, especially the abuse of duty by a public servant. A badge is not a permission to abuse. This kind of behavior has no place in our city)," she added.