Cop kills man during bar drinking binge

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer who allegedly shot to death a 29-year-old man during a drinking binge in a restobar in Quezon City was arrested yesterday.

Pat. Edwin Rivera, who is assigned with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)’s regional mobile force battalion, is accused of killing Chrismel Serioso in the Spotlight Beer Bar and Cocktail Lounge in Barangay Novaliches Proper.

Police investigators said Rivera was binge drinking with his companions in the restobar when Serioso approached him at around 4:45 a.m.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Lt. Col. Eunice Salas said Rivera had been drinking in the restobar since 10 p.m. Monday night.

Witnesses told probers Rivera accosted Serioso and accused the victim of selling him illegal drugs.

Serioso managed to free himself and both of them fell to the ground. The victim attempted to escape but Rivera shot him in the abdomen.

Bystanders brought the victim to the Novaliches District Hospital, where physicians declared him dead on arrival at around 5:37 a.m.

Operatives of the Novaliches police station arrested Rivera at the restobar and disarmed him of his Philippine National Police-issued Canik pistol.

NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said an “extensive investigation” is being conducted to establish the facts of the case.

“I will assure you that the involved policeman will be held accountable for his actions,” he said.

Nartatez reminded all police officers to be circumspect in their actions and to refrain from drinking in bars, nightclubs and other public establishments. — Daphne Galvez