3 cops probed for gun in drug suspect’s car

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Three members of the city police are facing investigation in connection with the recovery of a government-issued firearm from the vehicle of a drug suspect accused of threatening two alleged drug traffickers on Saturday.

Investigation showed the 9mm pistol was issued to Police Officer 3 Joel Gacho of the city police Station 10.

Aside from Gacho, Senior Police Officer 1 Cheryl Gemina and Police Officer 3 Eugene Tamayo are under investigation.

The firearm was turned over to the police by complainant Joem Villacojer, who said he and his companion Roselyn Destua were threatened by Ricky Serenio and his woman companion.

Reports said Villacojer, Destua and Serenio were drug suspects.

Serenio reportedly hit Villacojer and Destua with a gun while in his Hyundai Accent.

Villacojer tried to wrestle for the gun, which went off, hitting the windshield of the vehicle. This prompted Serenio and his companion to flee, leaving behind the gun and a handcuff.

Villacojer drove the vehicle to the city police Station 2 and turned over the gun to the police.

Also recovered from the vehicle were the PhilHealth identification card  of Serenio and assorted ATM cards.

Chief Inspector Ritchie Gohee, city police Station 10 commander, said Gacho admitted to have pawned the gun for P15,000 with the help of Gemina. He said the name of Tamayo cropped up during their investigation.