The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday, Feb. 21, said it will cooperate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) after one of its personnel allegedly went amok and engaged in a shooting spree in Naic, Cavite.
Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG commandant, directed the Coast Guard Internal Affairs Service (CGIAS) to work with the PNP in probing the arrested personnel who is serving under the Coast Guard Sub-Station Rosario with a rank of Seaman Second Class.
According to the PCG, the suspect went to Barangay Latoria in Naic, Cavite around 2:40 a.m. last February 18 where he met his live-in partner.
Suddenly, the suspect, who was still wearing the Coast Guard's battle dress uniform (BDU), began shouting due to a heated altercation with his live-in partner.
This attracted public attention and at the height of the confrontation, the suspect "pointed his PCG-issued firearm to the ground and fired indiscriminately."
Witnesses called for assistance from the PNP-Naic personnel which led to the arrest of the suspect.
The police also recovered 18 spent shells of caliber 5.56 cartridge.
The suspect yielded his PCG-issued firearm (Galil ACE) for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 11926 or "An Act Penalizing Willful and Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearms."
Gavan reminded the PCG personnel to exercise maximum tolerance and comply strictly with gun safety regulations.
""Committing such crime while wearing the PCG uniform affected his unit's reputation and the public image of the entire Coast Guard organization," he furthered.
The PCG commandant said that the suspect shall face the consequences of his actions, which include being dishonorably discharged from the Coast Guard service, if proven that he is guilty of indiscriminately firing his gun.
"The PCG has zero tolerance for public servants who violate the very rules and regulations they must uphold," Gavan said.