Cebu cop arrested for stealing cellphone, indiscriminate firing
QUIJANO
CEBU CITY – A policeman is facing a string of charges after he was accused of stealing a cellphone and indiscriminate firing in Minglanilla town, Cebu province at noon on Tuesday, July 29.
Police Staff Sgt. Abraham Quijano, 45, and his civilian companion, Joel Butron Mandras, 41, were arrested in a hot-pursuit operation.
Quijano, a resident of Barangay Tapol, Talisay City, Cebu, is assigned to the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Central Visayas.
Police Major Arieza Otida, chief of the Minglanilla Police Station, said Quijano and Mandras were allegedly unruly when they broke into a furniture shop.
Quijano allegedly took the cellphone of a man who they chanced upon in the shop.
Otida said they were alerted about the incident and immediately rushed to the scene.
The policeman and his companion were no longer in the shop when they arrived.
The duo left aboard a motorcycle and barged into another furniture shop. The policeman was reportedly heard shouting “mga manyakis mi” (We are maniacs) inside.
Quijano allegedly fired several shots using his 9mm Glock service firearm before leaving.
A hot-pursuit operation was launched that led to Quijano’s arrest. The stolen cellphone was recovered from Quijano’s possession, Otida said.
Police Col. Christopher Bermudez, chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said the incident will be investigated thoroughly.
Bermudez assured that there will be no whitewash in the investigation as he warned that apart from criminal charges, Quijano will also face administrative complaints.
Police said charges for domicile, illegal discharge of firearm, unjust vexation, and theft will be filed against the suspect.