A policeman earlier reported on a video post on Facebook for alleged abusive action and indiscriminate firing in Siquijor province, is now facing four criminal complaints.
Police Officer 3 Allan Bautista, assigned with the Human Rights Affairs Office of the Police Regional Office 7 based in Cebu City, is also undergoing a pre-charge evaluation, and has been stripped of his firearm, Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, said.
Lawas, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the PRO-7, said yesterday that grave threats, illegal discharge of firearm, violation of domicile, and alarm and scandal complaints were filed against Bautista by complainant Carlito Oriendo.
Oriendo, assisted by the Siquijor Police, filed the complaints June 20 before the Siquijor Prosecutor’s Office. Oriendo had posted a video on Facebook appealing for assistance against a person wielding a firearm that he identified as PO3 Bautista. The video showed the armed man shouting and firing his gun on June 11 in Candanay Norte, Siquijor.
Lawas said initial investigation by his office revealed that Bautista, who hails from Talisay, Cebu, was on leave at the time and was visiting Siquijor, where he was previously assigned.
His Taurus 9-mm pistol will be subjected to ballistics examination to match with the spent shells recovered at the supposed crime scene in Siquijor, Lawas said.
Bautista continues to report for duty at the PRO-7 HRAO until after the RIDMD had finished its investigation and it is determined whether he will be charged administratively. (JFP)
